Saturday, July 07, 2007

Fruit

Look at the jewels in this box! And at first glance can you tell what they are? (besides the fact that it's written on the side). Aren't these gorgeous cherries?! And look at that packing! This is quite an expensive gift from a friend and since taking the picture we've been enjoying the wonderful sweet fruit! Just the careful way that the cherries are packed, with their stems hidden in a line beneath and their rosy faces shining up at you, you know these cherries have been cultivated and tended with loving care and that the farmer is proud of the results of his labor! And they are expensive! Suffice it to say that I wouldn't be buying our family these cherries for a snack!

Japanese produce is always gorgeous. The fruit and vegetables in the supermarket have no blemishes or bruises or dents and there isn't such a thing as a misshapen piece of fruit. Everything looks like it has been polished and is displayed with care. In the department stores you can see a perfect melon displayed in a velvet lined box ready to purchase as a gift for someone special. I've never bought one but I have been amazed that people will pay the equivalent to $100 dollars for a single melon! Of course, the everyday housewife will pick up fruit at "normal" prices that are packed in plastic boxes or bags, but in general the odd shaped fruit and vegetables aren't readily sold.

I found these pictures on the Japanese Internet. Anyone want to buy a bunch of grapes for $50?

13 comments:

anne bebbington said...

Good heavens - $50 for a bunch of grapes! I'll have ten please!!! No only kidding - those cherries look good though but almost too beautiful to eat

anne bebbington said...

Good heavens - $50 for a bunch of grapes! I'll have ten please!!! No only kidding - those cherries look good though but almost too beautiful to eat

anne bebbington said...

Sorry Tanya - no idea why that came up twice - I never pressed the button more than once, honest :o)

marisa said...

In Italy, the fruit is not more expensive.

tami said...

WOW. It must be hard to eat healthy fruit in Japan. Those cherries look yummy. Enjoy.

JudyL said...

And I've been complaining about the cost of fresh fruit and veggies here. I'll not complain any more . . at least for a few days! Those cherries make are gorgeous. Did they taste as good as they look?

atet said...

Wow -- I wonder what the Japanese would think of th farm stands we have in this area. Usually not as pretty to look at but fresh as fresh can be. Sometimes with some of the dirt from the field still on it -- since it was picked that morning. I just can't imagine spending that much for a melon!

Ms. Jan said...

I worked for a girl whose Dad was a farmer in California and one year he was ecstatic because his cherries were so good and ready early so he was able to sell them to a broker for shipping to Japan. Apparently he got a much better price for them than if sold in the US.

meggie said...

We are so lucky here, our fruit is usually reasonably priced, & readily available.
I have been told that fruit is incredibly expensive in Switzerland too.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Amazing! The velvet-lined box with a cantaloupe beats anything I've ever thought of for a gift (let alone the price!?!).

Connie said...

I'm in shock over the prices! I don't think I could eat it after spending that much to get it!

Shelina said...

I was going to guess Clementine oranges, because they do come packed like that, and cause I didn't read the box.

I think if I got fruit in a velvet lined box, I would want to savor it and make it last as long as possible, which means it would rot before I could actually eat it.

teodo said...

Here fruit is expensive too but not that expensive like there.
ciao ciao