Grapes That Cost More Than Gold? Inside Japan’s Luxury Fruit Culture
Japan’s luxury fruit scene turns seasonal produce into status symbols. At opening auctions, Ruby Roman grapes and Yubari melons fetch eye-popping sums, driven by publicity, scarcity, and exacting grading for size, sweetness, and flawless appearance. Artisanal growers hand-pollinate, bag fruit, and prune vines to achieve near-perfection. These jewels are bought not just to eat but to gift, especially during Ochūgen and Oseibo, where impeccable presentation, etiquette, and provenance signal respect, gratitude, and taste in Japan’s social rituals.
.webp){kind=spacer}
.jpg)
