Introduction
In the secluded hills of Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated farmers have grown Crown Melons for over 100 years, with only the most exquisite specimens ever making it to market. Every melon is precisely measured, thoroughly massaged, and deftly harvested by human hands year round.
Also known as the “king” of Japanese fruits, Crown Melons have captured the hearts of gormets and culinary experts around the world. With Ikigai Fruits, this elusive Japanese delicacy is finally available to be delivered right to your door.
But what exactly makes a Crown Melon so special?We found the most common Crown Melon questions and compiled their answers into this easy-to-read blog. Share and save this page so you’ll always have everything you need to know about the world-famous Crown Melon.
What is a Crown Melon?
The Crown Melon is one of the highest quality muskmelons grown in the world. Sometimes called the “King of Fruits” in Japan, this luxury gift item is revered for its beautiful shape, unbelievable sweetness, and exclusivity.
Crown Melons are grown in Shizuoka Prefecture, and are often regarded as the highest-quality muskmelon variety available in Japan. Although hundreds of melons are grown every year, not every fruit can receive the Crown Melon Seal of Approval.
Once a melon meets a certain standard for appearance, sweetness, and weight, it receives certification in the form of a blue and silver sticker. Only the best of the best of every crop will ever make it to market.
The dedication these farmers have to making sure every melon has a shot at receiving the Seal of Approval is unmatched. In fact, you can find out exactly who grew the Crown Melon you purchased from Ikigai Fruits from the number on its Seal.
To see a picture of the person who grew your Crown Melon, enter the number on your Seal of Approval on this website: http://www.crown-melon.co.jp/producer/This unique service is just another feature that makes Crown Melons the King of Fruit!
Why is the Crown Melon so Expensive?
So why exactly is the Crown Melon such a luxury? Growing a proper, Seal of Approval-worthy Crown Melon is more complicated than you might think.
During cultivation, each Crown Melon is grown in automatic temperature-adjusting greenhouses. These greenhouses are constantly monitored by humans to ensure no technological mistakes compromise the crop.
Another unique element of the growing process is every melon is the only individual per tree. The “One Melon, One Tree” method guarantees that 100% of a tree’s nutrients and energy can be spent on making a single fruit as plump and juicy as possible.
It may sound excessive, but the results speak for themselves. These strategies consistently produce the world’s highest quality muskmelons.
How many Crown Melons are grown in a year? Only a few hundred make it to maturity and eventually to market. The rarity of an authentic Crown Melon is what makes every fruit a true luxury item.
What Does The Crown Melon Taste Like?
Crown Melons may have a similar appearance to familiar fruit like honeydew or cantaloupe, but there are crucial differences.
Crown Melon vs Honeydew
At first glance, freshly cut honeydew and freshly cut Crown Melon might look similar, but their tastes are from two different worlds. Honeydew is a notoriously subtle fruit with a dash of sweetness and firm flesh that makes it a sturdy base for many fruit salads and spreads. The Crown Melon’s overflowing juices and refreshingly sweet flesh that melts in your mouth is always the star of the show.
Crown Melon vs Cantaloupe
Aside from the differences in appearances, Crown Melon and cantaloupe have distinct flavor profiles. Cantaloupe is known for its delicate flesh and cotton candy sweetness. The fruit is a little firmer than a perfectly ripe Crown Melon’s. Crown Melon is also notoriously sweet, but more from the nectar-like quality of the juice in every bite.
Other Famous Japanese Melons
Although the Crown Melon is one of the most well-known Japanese melon varieties, there are other luxury Japanese melons making waves in the international culinary scene.
Two of the most famous luxury Japanese melons hail from the massive northern island of Hokkaido: the Yubari Melon and the Raiden Melon.
The Yubari Melon is a hybrid variety originally cultivated by combining two different kinds of cantaloupe. Named for Yubari City where they’re grown, Yubari Melons thrive in this region as the large temperature differences between night and day positively affect the melons’ sweetness.
The Raiden Melon is a well-known luxury from Hokkaido’s Cape Raiden. These plump melons are overflowing with juice and are cultivated using a chemical-free technique called companion planting. The soil contains bacteria that could ruin the harvest so farmers plant green onion near the melons to act as a natural antibacterial agent and pesticide.
How to Eat Crown Melon
To enjoy your Crown Melon at its peak sweetness, keep the following recommendations in mind.
Refrigerate your Crown Melon before you’re ready to eat it. It is recommended to keep the fruit in the fridge for 2-3 hours before it’s time to eat.
The bottom of the melon will reveal how ripe it is. Using your fingers, gently press into the area around the bottom-most point of the melon. Rather than pushing the center of the bottom, lightly push the flesh surrounding the bottom. A perfectly ripe Crown Melon will be slightly soft. If it’s difficult to push down, your melon isn’t ready yet.
If your melon is taking too long to ripen, let it sit at room temperature rather than sit in the fridge.
Conclusion
Finding Crown Melon for sale is easy with Ikigai Fruits! We’ve got this spectacular luxury specimen in our online store all-year round and can deliver it right to your doorstep.