Not all fruit is created equal. Some are sweeter, some are more savory, and others are downright bitter. Some are not even universally regarded as fruit. But one area where fruit certainly differs is in its price. Anyone who has wandered through the produce aisle of their local grocery store knows this to be an all too real fact. But what makes the most expensive fruits so pricey?
There are several reasons but the most common sense one is that we can now consume fruits exported from countries all over the globe. Just a century ago, people ate produce that was local to their geographic region, primarily, but these days you can have a smoothie made fresh with fresh mangos in the dead of winter in New York City.
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But it isn’t just the import costs of exotic fruits that make some costs more. Farmers have also been experimenting with methods of making already popular fruits taste even better. The methods often require expenses for the farmers, and those costs are passed on to the shoppers. The fruits they develop are not only different in shape at times, but they are superbly enhanced in their taste.
Of course, there is also the rarity of some fruits that makes them expensive. The fewer of anything in demand that there is, the prices will be high if someone is willing to pay for it. With that said, let’s explore the world’s 15 most expensive fruit.
TOP 15 Most Expensive Fruits of all time
1. Bijin-hime Strawberry ($4,000 per strawberry)
Aside from being the most expensive strawberry on the market, the Bijin-hime strawberry is also the largest. These giant berries are limited in production, only outputting about 500 strawberries per season. However, each weighs over 100 grams, making them roughly 3 times as large as traditional strawberries. The Bjin-hime is grown in Japan and can be acquired via a short ride from the Gifu-Hashima Station.
2. Northern Territory Mangos ($4,116 per Australian mango)
These Australian mangos have set a record for a dozen being sold for a stunning $50,000, though that crazy amount isn’t necessarily because they are themselves expensive. They are not limited in production either. Northern Australia produces these mangos by the thousands annually. The high price point is that the proceeds from the sales have gone to a pair of children’s charities.
3. Cornwall Pineapple ($1,600 per pineapple)
Pineapple is included in most fruit salads, so what makes the Cornwall pineapple more than 500 times as expensive as the variety you would find at your local grocery store? Its cost actually has to do with the meticulously precise method in which the Cornwall pineapple is grown. These pineapples are grown under a combination of straw, urine, and manure which allows them to grow in colder climates, a rarity since pineapples are tropical fruits.
If you are looking to buy one of these, you are unlikely to have that ability. None of the Cornwall pineapples were ever sold but rather had their cost estimated and then the fruit stock was split between the staff who grew it in Halligan. They did claim that the flavor was superb.
4. Ruby Roman Grapes ($400 per grape)
Your eyes do not deceive you, these grapes do in fact cost a stunning $400 per grape, with a recent bunch being sold for $11,000. These grapes have low acidity and significant sugar content, making them some of the juiciest in the world. If you find yourself on a trip to a hot spring in Japan, you may have a chance to see what they taste like.
In Japan, there is a long-standing tradition of gifting most expensive fruits, with many being given to those people are trying to impress (like their bosses). Not every bunch of grapes will sell for as much as $11,000, of course, but if you buy these, don’t hold your breath for anything other than high prices.
5. Densuke Watermelon ($250 per watermelon)
Densuke watermelons run for $250 apiece, but at one time, one of these darkly colored watermelons sold for $6,000. These are pretty limited in supply, which is a large reason that Japan auctions off the Densuke watermelons. They are known for being crunchier and more succulent than traditional watermelons. Of course, most people wouldn’t spend this type of money on a watermelon, but those looking to impress someone important or to win over a group might be tempted to buy one of these delectable melons.
6. Yubari King Melon ($200 per melon)
The sweet and flavorful Yubari King melons are grown on Hokkaido. These melons are distinguished from the standard variety due to the perfectly smooth nature of their skin. They are grown out of volcanic ash rather than traditional soil located in greenhouses. Once they are handpicked with scissors, they need to be consumed within a few days after harvesting. The chances of finding this melon outside of Japan are rare unless you are willing to have it imported while it’s still in its prime, and that will cost you.
7. Square Watermelon ($200 per square watermelon)
If you have browsed social media, you probably ran into the perfectly cubed watermelons at one point or another. Most people who have tried them claim there is no taste difference between the cubed melons and regular ones from the store, so when you pay $200 for one, you are choosing to spend the money simply on their shape. So why would one spend so much on what is essentially a standard watermelon? Well, mostly for decorative purposes. The biggest reason for the price is simply the labor-intensive process that goes into producing their perfectly cubed shape.
8. Taiyo no Tamago Mangos ($50 per mango)
While these mangos usually sell for $50 apiece, someone once paid a stunning $4,500 for them at a Japanese wholesale auction. However, there are conditions tied to their sale. The mango must have a deep red coloring and must weigh at least 350 lbs. The name Taiyo no Tamago translates to “egg of the sun” and for good reason. This mango is extremely sweet.
9. Sembikiya Muskmelon ($150 per melon or higher)
When cutting into most fruit, we get that satisfyingly delicious, sweet fruity scent. But in the case of the Sembikiya Muskmelon, the results are different. These fruits, native to Shizuoka, Japan are meant to smell musky. These melons are grown in extremely controlled environments, monitored closely, and surrounded by heaters or air conditioning units, depending on the ambient temperature and moisture levels in the typically sunny area of Japan. Interestingly, while the smell they emit is a strange one for a fruit, the muskmelons are said to have a very rich, succulent taste.
10. Sekai-ichi Apple ($21 per apple)
This Japanese hand-pollinated apple’s name translates to “world’s best,” and it’s a monicker that is well deserved. After the pollination, they are dipped in honey, then hand stamped. The result is an unbelievable delicious apple, and perhaps the best a human mouth is capable of tasting.
11. Dekopon Citrus ($13 per orange)
The Dekopon piece of citrus fruit is said to be worth the $13 price point, though its taste is really no different than a traditional mandarin. The key is its size, as it is significantly larger than its traditional counterpart. This was one of the best-kept fruit delicacy secrets in Japan until it was smuggled into the United States in 1998. Ever since then shoppers can find these large mandarins in their local grocery store.
12. White Jewel ($10 per strawberry)
Those who appreciate the White Jewel strawberry are much like beer drinkers with a refined palette who enjoy expensive beer. If you are not such a person, you might be confused about why you shelled out $10 per strawberry. Farmers are clear about the fact that this strawberry tends to strike most first-time eaters as being flavorless, but with time people will be able to start tasting its true flavor.
Those who have picked up on the taste compare it to tropical fruits, namely a pineapple. It carries a flavor comparable to a light version of sweet candy, but its size is far larger. Like most of the unique fruits on this list, it is only produced in Japan and gets its white color from being harvested in a position of insufficient sunlight. Only 10% of the strawberry harvest per growing season end up being white, due to the strict ratio of darkness to sunlight that must be maintained to achieve their coloring.
13. Buddha Shaped Pear ($9 per pear)
If you’re in the market for a cute-looking fruit, these Chinese Buddha pears produced in the Hebei province might be your best bet. They also have an interesting history assigned to them. Xianzhang Hao was the first to grow the Buddha-shaped pears by innovating the idea of growing the fruit in a mold, an idea he got from stories of magical fruit grown in the shape of Buddha. It took six years to finally get it right, but his accomplishment was not for naught. The little pear remains one of the highest fruits in demand.
14. Sembikiya Queen Strawberries ($7 per strawberry)
Grateful or indebted to a party in Japan? According to the Japanese tradition mentioned earlier, gifting exotic fruits is a long-standing tradition for people to such individuals. These strawberries, named for Japan’s oldest fruit shop, are very sweet, but it is their perfect shape really wins them renown. The selection process of these strawberries is very careful, with the collectors assuring that the fruits are specifically exact to what the client is expecting.
15. Sembikiya Cherry ($4 per cherry)
Along with the Queen strawberries, Sembikiya, a renowned Japanese fruit shop established way back in 1834, also offers a choice of cherries, as well as other impressive, exclusive, and expensive fruits. All of the cherries are grown in small greenhouses, each individually monitored for optimal progress. Close monitoring allows harvesters to have a set of cherries that are colored the same way and are of the same size. Each cherry does cost $4, but they are sold in boxes of $40, so in reality, they run $160 per box.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the world of fruits offers a variety of flavors and textures, ranging from the common and affordable to the rare and exotic. The top 15 most expensive fruits of all time are a testament to the uniqueness and luxury of these special fruits, which can fetch thousands of dollars per piece. Whether it’s the sweet and succulent Ruby Roman grapes, the rare and spiky Durian or the perfectly round and juicy Yubari King melon, these fruits offer a one-of-a-kind taste and experience that can’t be found elsewhere. While they may not be accessible to everyone, they remain a symbol of luxury and exclusivity in the food world.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Is fruit in japan expensive?
Yes, fruit in Japan is generally more expensive than in other countries due to factors such as limited agricultural space, high labor costs, and the emphasis on quality and presentation. Some fruits, such as melons and strawberries, can be particularly expensive, often selling for several thousand yen per piece.
Why is dragon fruit so expensive?
Dragon fruit can be expensive due to several factors, including its limited growing regions, high demand, and the delicate process of harvesting and transporting the fruit. Additionally, the plant requires specific growing conditions and a long maturation period, which can contribute to its higher cost.
Hello, my name is Idammah, and I am the founder of Wolfionaire.com, a personal development, and finance blog focused on motivation, success, and wealth. I am obsessed with studying the world's wealthiest individuals and learning about their path to success. I believe anyone can achieve their financial goals with the right mindset and strategies, and I hope to inspire and empower my readers to pursue their own path to success.
