People have been altering foods for years to meet both nutritional demands and visual appeal. In fact, many foods looked totally different a few centuries ago when compared with their modern versions. This can be a tiresome process full of trial and error and sometimes the result isnt really all that superior and the price of the food only becomes more expensive.
A perfect example of this is the cubed watermelon. Cubed or square watermelons first emerged in Japan in the late 1970s, but have now become a novelty item in many other parts of the world (via What About Watermelon). Watermelons, of course, dont naturally grow square and aside from a visual appeal, the only real advantage to a cubed one is that its not going to roll off the counter and break on the floor.
If youd like to pick up one of these odd fruits, youll need to be ready to pay a hefty price.
Square watermelons are more expensive than traditional round watermelons due to the time, effort, and resources required to grow them. Firstly, square watermelons are not naturally occurring; they are created by growing the fruit in a square container, which forces the fruit to take on a square shape.
People have been altering foods for years to meet both nutritional demands and visual appeal. In fact, many foods looked totally different a few centuries ago when compared with their modern versions. This can be a tiresome process full of trial and error and sometimes the result isnt really all that superior and the price of the food only becomes more expensive.
A perfect example of this is the cubed watermelon. Cubed or square watermelons first emerged in Japan in the late 1970s, but have now become a novelty item in many other parts of the world (via What About Watermelon). Watermelons, of course, dont naturally grow square and aside from a visual appeal, the only real advantage to a cubed one is that its not going to roll off the counter and break on the floor.
The high price tag is because growing these novelty fruits is pretty labor-intensive. Science doesnt get any credit for the watermelons square shape, though — its all about molding. A young watermelon is placed in a square-shaped mold and its then constantly monitored while it matures to ensure that it grows in its cube shape without any cracking and maintains perfectly vertical stripes (via Post-Gazette). Some melons dont conform to the mold, which means the ones that do are that much more valuable.
If youd like to pick up one of these odd fruits, youll need to be ready to pay a hefty price.
A square watermelon can cost you up to $200, depending on the size (via CTV News), though most hover in the $100 range. For a lot of people, thats a ridiculous price to pay for a fruit that doesnt taste any better — and some even say taste worse — than its round counterpart, so why are they so expensive?
If you really wanted to see the process unfold, you could try to place your own homegrown watermelon inside a strong mold. It would be a fun experience to watch one grow in your own garden. Plus, youd never have to worry about the melon rolling away when you tried to cut into it.
With so few differences, you might wonder just how it is farmers can grow a fruit with such a perfect and precise shape. It all comes down to growing the melons under special circumstances by using square-shaped molds. But just because farmers have a mold does not mean that things will go exactly as planned. In fact, the uncertainty and extra labor associated with this growing process is actually what drives the price up (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Japan is home to some very expensive fruits. One type of melon, the Yubari King Melon, comes with a price tag of $22,500 while a single White Jewel Strawberry can fetch $10 (via A Day of Zen). But one of the most unusual and striking-looking fruits both in Japan and across the globe is the square watermelon. Square watermelons can go for up to $200 each, reports CTV News, but according to A Day of Zen the cost is typically around $65. And for a price tag that steep, youd likely expect something very special about these unusual watermelons.
The truth is, however, that square watermelons are just like regular watermelons, apart from their shape. According to a man who spoke to CTV News, square watermelons have the same color flesh, seeds, and the same flavor as normal watermelons. But that doesnt stop people from indulging their whimsy by purchasing a square watermelon from time to time.
Why Japanese Melons Are So Expensive | So Expensive
FAQ
How much does a cube shaped watermelon cost?
What is the most expensive type of watermelon?
Do cube watermelons taste good?
What is the cost of square watermelon?
Why are watermelons so expensive?
The high price tag is because growing these novelty fruits is pretty labor-intensive. Science doesn’t get any credit for the watermelon’s square shape, though — it’s all about molding.
Is watermelon good for health?
Watermelon is a health promoting food. It is low-calorie, fat and cholesterol free, and a valued source of natural antioxidants including lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Lycopene is a red pigment carotenoid that has the potential to help prevent some chronic ailments. Observational studies have demonstrated an association between blood lycopene levels and reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Watermelon also contributes to hydration because of its high water content and it should not spike blood sugars in individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes due to it’s small amount of net carbohydrates per serving. Watermelons and red tomatoes are currently the most concentrated sources of lycopene and fit well into a healthy diet.
How much do cube watermelons cost?
Cube watermelons are commonly sold in Japan, where they are essentially ornamental and are often very expensive, with prices as high as US$200 . Cube watermelons were intended to fit more compactly in fridges and their shape makes them easier to cut as they don’t roll. They were invented by graphic designer Tomoyuki Ono in 1978.
How much does a square watermelon cost?
A square watermelon can cost you up to $200, depending on the size (via CTV News ), though most hover in the $100 range. For a lot of people, that’s a ridiculous price to pay for a fruit that doesn’t taste any better — and some even say taste worse — than its round counterpart, so why are they so expensive?