Yubari King Melon: Japan’s most luxurious fruit costs ₹27,000 a piece; here’s why it’s so expensive
Japan loves its fruits like luxury gems, perfectly grown and gift-wrapped as symbols of care and quality. Amid strawberries that cost a fortune and square watermelons, one fruit reigns supreme as the Hokkaido superstar.
Imagine biting into something sweeter than candy, juicier than summer dreams, all grown in volcanic soil under the careful eyes of farmers. It’s the taste of northern Japan’s crisp summers. This fruit offers a taste of slow luxury: hand-picked, sun-kissed orbs that melt in your mouth.
Which fruit is this, and what makes it special
The Yubari King Melon, a hybrid of two cantaloupes, comes from Hokkaido’s Yubari city. Its sky-high prices are due to its insane sweetness, juicy orange flesh, and finely netted green rind. Each melon must weigh 1–2.5 kg, have even netting, a perfect oval shape, and high sugar content, each one hand-checked rigorously. Soft, fragrant, and buttery, it’s no wonder this melon outshines everyday delicacies in Japan.
Where are these melons grown
Grown only in Yubari, surrounded by mountains, these melons thrive on huge day-night temperature swings, with cool nights building sweetness. Volcanic ash soil ensures perfect drainage. Seedlings start in winter greenhouses, and in spring, special mats are placed under each fruit to shape them flawlessly and keep them clean. Farmers also adjust sunlight exposure with precision. This meticulous process yields tiny batches of elite fruit.
Harvest runs from May to August. In June, the Yubari Melon Festival features auctions and eating contests. Off-season melons are rare and difficult to find, making summer the prime time for hunting them in Hokkaido.
The fruit has sky-high prices
Top-grade melons (13%+ sugar) can sell for $300 each (around ₹27,000), while everyday ones are around $35–50 (₹3,200–₹4,500). A record-breaking pair sold for $45,000 (approximately ₹40 lakh) at the 2019 auction, according to Kyodo News. In Japan, they are prestigious gifts for respect and celebration, elegantly boxed. Even lower-tier melons (10–12% sugar) are considered premium, priced at over JPY 4,000 (₹2,400). Every yen is worth it for that unparalleled flavor.
How to savour and store it
The melon should be eaten at the greenish-yellow stage. Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and enjoy fresh. To store, wrap the halves and refrigerate. While it can be eaten on its own, it is often paired with berries, ice cream, or parfaits for indulgent desserts. Rarely found outside Japan, enjoying one usually means hunting for them in Hokkaido fruit shops or specialty parlors.
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