Many cultures and nations have a fruit that's central to their identity. Think
of dates in the middle East, mangoes in India, kiwis in New Zealand, the wine
grapes of Europe, and so on. The orange is, of course, the state fruit of Florida. It's key to who we are here!
You Paid What for That Melon?
But there is one country that venerates
fruit in a truly unusual way. That county is Japan. In this island nation,
fruit isn’t just enjoyed; it's adored. Both taste and appearance are extremely important to Japanese fruit-lovers, who'll pay top dollar for fruit that
they consider perfect. When we say top dollar, we're talking some high numbers: $30 for an apple, $250
for a mango, and up to thousands of dollars for one melon.
In Japanese culture, very special fruit like this is often gifted to others as a sign of respect and appreciation. It may be delivered as a housewarming
present, brought to a party, or sent to someone who is ill. You might also buy
it for yourself as an indulgent “just for me” experience. In a way, it’s similar
to fancy chocolates or a very nice bottle of wine.
The purchasing experience for fruit like this is also very luxurious. The stores resemble jewelry stores,
with the food gorgeously displayed and lit up. It's no workday trip to the grocery store.
Japan's Citrus Culture
Of course, not every piece of fruit eaten in Japan’s fruit-loving
culture is at quite this level of luxury. Did you know that Japan is a very
citrus-oriented society? In fact, the country’s relatively mild climate is well-suited to growing citrus. Citrus has also been a key part of Japan’s light and
delicate cuisine for centuries.
There are literally hundreds of special varieties of
Japanese citrus. The best growing region is around the Seto Inland
Sea, a protected bay with beautiful scenery and stunning mountain views.
But Floridians would recognize the familiar dark green leaves and
sweet-smelling flowers of citrus trees all over the nation. Here are just a few of Japan’s
most loved and interesting citrus varieties.
Banpeiyu
The banpeiyu is a type of pomelo (similar to a grapefruit)
with a mild and tangy flavor. These are notable due to the large size—up to 10
pounds! It's traditional to float these on steaming hot baths.
Mikan
Beni-madonna
The beni-madonna is a new luxury orange with super-soft flesh, bred to
be delightfully sweet-sour and succulent for a wonderful dessert eating
experience.
Yuzu
The Yuzu is hugely important to Japanese savory cuisine and
has a tart flavor unlike other citrus. Yuzu juice is often
combined with soy sauce in savory dishes.
 |
| Yuzu martini |
Dekopon
The dekopon has a big bump or bell at the top, and resembles
a honeybell. Although it's also a seedless, easy-peeling, sweet fruit, it is
not a tangelo and has a different parentage.
There's so much more to learn and know about the history of citrus
and citrus cuisine in Japan and the amazing story of Japan’s beautiful gift
fruit. Explore here: OishiSo Japan: Citrus
Although we don’t spend thousands on a melon in this
country, it's still true that we consider sending beautiful and delicious gift
fruit a thoughtful and considerate way to honor and thank others. There’s
a reason this tradition endures and crosses national boundaries. Consider a
fruit gift from Florida Fruit Shippers today.
