A Handbook for Buying Budget-Friendly Musk Melons in Japan
# Savoring Japanese Musk Melon: A Culinary Journey
I’ve had the desire to savor a complete Japanese musk melon for some time now, and it has finally come to fruition. My intrigue with fruit culture in Japan has always been profound. In Japan, fruits are not merely for consumption; they are viewed as masterpieces, meticulously grown and cultivated not only for flavor but for their immaculate, flawless presentation, often aimed at being gifts. Exclusive melons can cost hundreds of dollars, and a single slice is frequently served as dessert at the conclusion of upscale omakase sushi experiences.
On my latest trip to Tokyo, my friend Mike proposed we explore the melons at Takashimaya, a prominent department store. To my joy, we discovered a selection of melons significantly discounted, and I am now one melon heftier!
## What is a Musk Melon?
A musk melon refers to a class of melons that encompasses honeydew and cantaloupe. Nonetheless, in Japan, musk melons signify a unique variety cultivated solely within the nation. These melons bear resemblance to honeydew or cantaloupe but are unique in their flavor and texture. Japanese musk melons are esteemed for their juicy smoothness, honeyed sweetness, robust flavor, and remarkable aroma. They come in both green and orange types, typically sporting an intricate, netted shell.
## Where to Buy Expensive Fruit for Less in Tokyo
In Japan, regular fruit can be found at supermarkets, but for top-notch, exquisite fruit, you will need to visit specialized fruit shops like Sun Fruits, Sembikiya, or Takano. However, if you’re seeking somewhat budget-friendly luxury, upscale department stores are the way to go.
### Department Store Fruit in Japan
Upscale department stores (and even the standard ones) in Japan feature food courts in their lower levels, providing a variety of ready-to-eat items and groceries. The grocery aisle is where you can discover high-quality fruit at more affordable prices. Seek out the section selling groceries, where regular and specially gift-wrapped fruit is displayed. This spot often yields the best bargains.
The top department stores to try your luck for melon offers include [Takashimaya](https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/store/special/stores/en/), [Isetan](https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en.html), and Mitsukoshi.
## Shop After 5 PM
If you’ve ever resided in Japan, you understand that grocery stores frequently reduce prices on their ready-made food as closing time approaches. The same applies to fruit! While securing a sale is partly based on luck and timing, I experienced a fortunate moment when Mike suggested we buy a melon. We stumbled across various discounts, and I was ecstatic to see melons originally listed at ¥5400 reduced to ¥2000! My heart raced at the prospect of such a deal. After a moment of contemplation, Mike urged me, saying, “When else will you find a melon deal like this?” We decided to seize the opportunity, and now I am one melon wealthier (minus the two bites Mike snuck).
## How to Acquire the Finest Japanese Melon
Once the choice was made, I was determined to pick the best melon from the discounted selections. I approached the fruit seller and utilized Google Translate to request his assistance in selecting the finest melon. He was exceptionally friendly and began assessing the melons on offer. He inquired when we intended to enjoy our melon: today or in a couple of days. Without hesitation, I opted for today. He cheerfully handed me his selected melon, and Mike noted that he remarked, “Good deal, it’s a big one!” but I was too captivated to catch anything beyond our melon.
## How Are Premium Musk Melons Cultivated in Japan?
Unlike regular melons, premium musk melons in Japan are hand-pollinated and pruned to yield only one fruit per plant, known as “ichiju ikka” in Japanese. This technique guarantees that all the plant’s energy and nutrients focus on a single melon, culminating in an exceptionally sweet and juicy fruit. The melons are consistently rotated and monitored to ensure they develop uniformly netted, round, and essentially flawless. The more perfect the melon, the greater the price. All premium melons are sold with their stems intact, demonstrating the one plant, one fruit principle.
## What is the Flavor of Japanese Musk Melon?
Japanese musk melon embodies the quintessence of melons—sweet, refreshing, juicy, and profoundly enjoyable. They capture the essence of melon, with rich flavor distilled into a juicy, sweet, tender orb of deliciousness. I have experienced two melon epiphanies in my life: once in Colorado and now in Tokyo. I might be eternally doomed, perpetually in search of discounted melons in the lower levels of department stores.
As an interesting note, my melon’s
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