In Barcelona, the restaurant Carlota Akaneya has introduced what is considered the world's most expensive melon, the 'Crown melon'. A single piece of this exclusive variety can cost up to 3,000 euros.
This fruit, originating from the Japanese city of Fukuroi, is cultivated through a meticulous process. It is grown in glass greenhouses, where temperature and humidity are manually controlled. Pollination is also done by hand to ensure a uniform texture, and each melon has a traceability code.
In Japan, the 'Crown melon' is classified into four categories based on its quality (Fuji, Yama, Shiro, and Yuki). Only those pieces that pass rigorous tests for sugar content, ripeness, and appearance receive the 'crown' seal. Its price in Japanese supermarkets ranges from 80 to 300 euros, but at special auctions, it can exceed 2,000 euros.
Carlota Akaneya, Europe's first 'sumibiyaki' (traditional Japanese grill) establishment, is one of the few places on the continent to offer this delicacy. Its founders, Felipe Fernández and Ignasi Elías, discovered this variety during a trip to Kyoto.
In Japan, gifting a 'Crown melon' carries deep cultural significance, serving as a gesture of respect, gratitude, and social status, particularly during the summer gift-exchange tradition known as 'omiyage' or 'ochugen'.
