As a preschool teacher, I often hear (and use) the question: “what is your favorite fruit?” For me, the answer is easy: watermelon. But not just any watermelon, Japanese watermelon!
You see, I’ve devoured watermelon in the Middle East, in Europe, in America, in Australasia and in Asian countries outside of Japan. However, I stand by my word that the Japanese watermelon is one in a melon (forgive me, I had to!)
If you’re not on the same page (yet) and you’re still not sure why these watermelons are special, let me break it down for you all.
1. Nom factor: You’ve got a winner!
Watermelons are sweet regardless in which part of the world you’re enjoying them in, but nothing compares to the Japanese watermelon — these babies are crazy sweet delicious!
The main reason behind this is that watermelons in Japan — like many other fruits, in fact — are considered a luxury: something you’d give to a really important sempai as a thank you or summer gift rather than something essential for your seasonal diet. With that in mind, farmers in Japan grow watermelons as if they were a piece of rare jewelry to please your guts: they choose the perfect soil, the perfect seeds, the perfect pruning methods and everything else to make them look and taste heavenly — if watermelons could be massaged, I bet that’d happen, too!
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- External Link
- https://savvytokyo.com/
12 Comments
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Nan Ferra
I hate watermelon. It is the worst of all fruits. Tasteless and almost all water! I like water though.
Luddite
The writer seems to think the article was meant for her pre-schoolers. "Nom"? FFS.
Mocheake
NOBODY I know in America and a few other countries give a bleep about this mostly tasteless fruit. I live near a watermelon producing region of Japan but I have never bought one. Can't remember hearing anyone ever saying, "Wouldn't you just love to have some watermelon now?" "Nom factor" is more like non-factor.
Hachidori
Watermelons taste like crunchy spit.
No thank you.
Toasted Heretic
Love watermelon. Especially pickled.
Peter14
Chilled ripe watermelon on a hot summers afternoon is a delight not to be missed.
Disillusioned
Not a big fan of watermelon either although, I have dropped a few bottles of vodka in them over the years. Perhaps part of the reason I don't like them.
On the other hand, normal melons - cantelopes, rock melons, whatever you choose to call them - are a refreshing treat in summer. However, I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay ¥3-4,000 or more for one.
browny1
From my experience as a watermelon liker, the idea that Japanese watermelons are the sweetest (read best) in the world is just laughable.
Had plenty from my local area over the years and they taste no better or worse than any I have had anywhere else. I can only imagine the author has been shorted in her outings.
My Australian granpa's, fertilized with duck poo and drip fed the right amount of water, while growing in hot and dry conditions, certainly had a reddness and flavour that I can readily recall. I'm certain he never dosed his in chemical sprays as is the norm here to ward off the multitudes of hot/wet/humidity loving summer bugs.
And the square ones actually began in my prefecture - NOT to fit into refrigerators but as a novelty gift item. No-one in this prefecture eats them as they know their taste is inferior.
This article should be read between the seeds.
Sushi_guy
Nan Ferra, you are disappointed that something called WATERmelon tastes like water? Unfortunately Dragonfruit doesn't even have a hint of dragon. LOL
Nan Ferra
Sushi_guyJune 2 03:38 am JST
Nan Ferra, you are disappointed that something called WATERmelon tastes like water?"
Best check you English reading skills, as I said it was "tasteless"