Discover the Sweet Luxury of Japanese Melons: Treats, Drinks, and Snac

Imagine paying $200 for one fruit. This is often the case when buying Japanese melon, one of the most expensive fruits in the world. In Japan, these luxury fruits play a huge role in omiyage (gift-giving tradition). People exchange them during celebrations and special occasions, as they are considered symbols of respect, luxury, goodwill, and prestige. Let’s take a deeper dive into the status, versatility, and cultural impact of Japanese melons. Why Is Japan Melon So Expensive? Certain species of Japanese melons are by far the most expensive fruits in the country. They become even more costly when exported to other countries. Throughout history, there have been cases in which people have paid tens of thousands of dollars for these fruits. There are several reasons for these high prices, and we’ll delve into them right away! Meticulous farming techniques Growing high-quality Japanese melons is a painstaking process that could take over 100 days. They grow on vines, and each vine produces a single fruit. In some cases, greenhouses are used to control the climate and ensure year-round growth. The farmers also clean the fruit every day and cover them with paper to prevent damage from sunlight. It makes sense that such a meticulous growing process be rewarded with a high monetary value. Limited supply Before classifying a melon as one of the luxurious, expensive varieties, Japanese farmers carefully test the fruit. They tap it to hear the sound it makes, perceive the sweet fragrance, and check out the rind. Only a few melons can pass this test and be sold as luxury fruits. A few varieties, like the crown melon, are only available in small quantities, making them scarce. The limited supply causes the melons to go for a higher price. Premium gifting culture Gifting of fruits is such an important part of Japanese culture that there are luxury fruit shops that specialize in gifts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. They stock only high-end varieties like the square melons and white strawberries. Melons, in particular, are popular at these places. Sourcing, preserving, and showcasing these fruits cost a lot of money. Popular Types of Japanese Melons There are three major types of Japanese melons. These three are also the most expensive types, and they dominate the global luxury fruit market. Yubari King Melon Here’s a fun fact for you. The Yubari King became the most talked-about melon variety in the world when, in 2019, news broke out that a company bought a pair for ¥5 million ($32,000+) at an auction. Yubari King is, in essence, a hybrid of two cantaloupe cultivars, namely, Earl Favorite Melon and Burpee’s Spicy Cantaloupe. Originating from the city of Yubari in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, this melon species is one of the regional specialties in the country. Good Yubari King melons are round, and their rinds are perfectly smooth. Harvesters tend to leave a portion of the stem on the fruit to add to its beauty. The yellow flesh of the Yubari King is soft, sweet, and juicy. Yubari King is the most expensive type of Japanese melon. It’s often presented as chūgen (summer gifts) and eaten during festivals, especially in Hokkaido. Crown Melon Originating in Shizuoka Prefecture, the Crown Melon’s meticulous growing process makes it fit for royalty. To grow it, farmers have to adopt a policy of growing only one melon on each tree. They also have to massage and polish the growing fruit every day for at least 100 days. The unique beauty of a mature crown melon makes all of the effort worth it. The rind has a lighter green color than most melons, and its fragrance is exceptionally pleasant. The Crown Melon’s flesh is succulent and tender, with a sweet and floral taste. Due to the painstaking growing process and rare global population, this variety can be just as expensive as the priciest melons. Ibara King Melon Farmers in Ibaraki Prefecture only started producing the Ibara King Melon in 2011, so it’s relatively late to the party. But if there’s any proof of the saying, “better late than never,” then this is it. Today, it's the most common melon in Japan. Like Yubari, Ibara is a hybrid melon. However, it stems from a whopping 400 varieties rather than two. The color of its sweet flesh ranges from dark yellow to dark green. It’s more affordable and abundant than the other melons on our list. Ibara is also used to make dishes like melon bread. Melon as a Symbol of Luxury in Japan The Japanese tradition of giving melons as luxury gifts began in the Edo period (1603-1868). At the time, they were only accessible to wealthy citizens and became associated with luxury and prestige. These days, anyone can get luxury melons for the right price. The most expensive ones are sold at premium auctions for thousands of dollars. Melon Bread: Japan's Favorite Sweet Bun The melon pan or melon bread is a classic Japanese bun shaped like a cantaloupe. It has a crispy-sweet shell and a fluffy inside. Melon pan rarely contains actual melon, but modern varieties may include extracts from Ibara King melon. The melon bread is a beloved Japanese snack in Tokyo and other regions. Japanese Melon Desserts & Sweets Let’s explore some of the melon-flavored treats found in Japanese stores and dessert shops. Melon mochi Japanese rice cake (mochi) can be coated with melon juice or stuffed with melon slices. The use of a sweet filling, such as red bean paste, converts the dessert to daifuku. Kubota, a local brand, is famous for their melon daifuku. Melon-flavored ice cream Melon pulp can be ground in a food processor and included in any kind of ice cream recipe. It’s not the most conventional flavor to have in an ice cream, but it does produce a tasty treat. Melon parfait You may mix melon juice with lemon juice, vanilla ice cream, gelatin, sugar, and salt to create a unique parfait. Feel free to include slices of the fruit in the parfait. Melon cake Bakers hollow out whole melons and fill the space with different layers of cake, fruits, and whipped cream. We recommend strawberries as the additional fruit in this recipe. Melon Candy: A Sweet, Fruity Delight Next, we’ll discuss popular melon candies. They are a great way to enjoy melon flavors all year round. Melon gummies Gummy candies are often flavored with tropical fruits like melon. Many of them are chewy on the outside and juicy on the inside, filling your taste buds with melon flavor after every bite. Melon-flavored chews Brands like Morinaga’s Hi-Chew Candy have made popular sweets with Yubari Melon. These high-end fruits often have their juices extracted and used to make chewing gum and chewy candy. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/products/uha-mikakuto-puchao-gummy-candy-melon== Melon hard candies Real melon fruit juice is used to make hard candies like lollipops, Sakuma Drops, aniseed twists, and candy canes. Melon milk candies Milk candies are soft and creamy sweets that are made using vanilla or milk powder. They can be flavored with melons. Melon chocolate The refreshing flavor of melon pairs perfectly with the nutty and sweet flavor of chocolate treats. What Is the Popular Melon Drink in Japan? Melon soda is the most popular melon drink in Japan. In a country with dozens of iconic beverages, this fizzy drink stands out for its refreshing taste. Get a taste of melon soda that’s proudly Japanese by enjoying Shirakiku Ramune Soda: Melon. If you prefer a non-carbonated option, we’ve got you covered with Asahi Calpico: Melon. Why Is Melon Soda Popular in Japan? There are three main reasons for the wild fame of melon soda in Japan. Refreshing taste The refreshing and unique flavors of juicy melon and soda water combine to create one of the best-tasting drinks in the country. It’s sweet, fragrant, and smooth. Association with fun While melon is a traditional fruit, its soda variant is considered a more hip and fun way to enjoy the fruit. Hence, many people associate melon soda and its new flavors with youthful culture. Nostalgia factor Some Japanese people living in other countries can’t resist the taste of melon soda, as it reminds them of eating the fruit in their homeland. Is Melon Soda Healthy? Melon soda is more of a sweet treat than it is a health drink. It has a high sugar content and should be consumed in moderation. We recommend that you enjoy it as an occasional treat. The fizzy nature of melon soda makes it a reasonable alternative to alcoholic beverages. Also, it can help you stay hydrated if you don’t want to take plain water every time. However, it should not be used as a water substitute. Melons in Japanese Festivals and Celebrations Seasonal fruits like melons feature heavily in cultural events such as the Yubari Melon Festival in Hokkaido. They are also eaten on picnics and shared among the guests at special occasions. It’s customary to bring gifts during weddings and other events, so some people choose to offer melons. Melon in Japanese Pop Culture Melon-flavored treats have become iconic in Japanese pop culture. Music There used to be an all-girl Japanese pop band named “Melon Kinenbi,” a name that translated to “Melon Anniversary” in English. They were most active in the early 2000s but disbanded and reunited several times in the 2010s. Anime If you’re a fan of anime and manga, you would notice an obsession with melon pan in many of the popular shows. Examples include Nichijou and Shakugan no Shana. Fruit Parks Parks where people observe and pick fruits are a thing in Japan. Some of the luxury fruits displayed at these parks are melons. Savoring Melon-Flavored Treats Anytime Bokksu Market boasts a wide range of authentic Japanese melon drinks, candies, and more. Some of the must-have products on our site are UHA Mikakuto Puchao Gummy Candy: Melon, Seiki One-Bite Mochi: Melon Choco, and Lotte Milkis Soft Drink: Melon. We’ve already mentioned a few other popular sweets earlier in this post. Feel free to add them to your snack box! ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/products/seiki-one-bite-mochi-melon-chocolate==