Ikigai Fruits, a marketplace known for sourcing from a small collective of Japan-based farmers, has recently made waves by offering what they claim to be the best fruit on the market. While the prices may be eye-watering for some, US consumers now have the opportunity to have these exclusive delicacies delivered straight to their door.
The marketplace features a limited selection of strawberries, melons, and oranges, all of which are available seasonally. The red Kotoka strawberries are the most affordable option, priced at $89 per pound. For those looking to indulge, a set of 27 red, pink, and white strawberries can be purchased for $780. Additionally, a $40 shipping charge is applied to each order.
One of the standout offerings is the Crown Melon, priced at $120. This particular melon is exclusively grown in the Shizuoka prefecture of Japan. Specialist farmers employ labor-intensive techniques, such as massaging the melon and pruning the plant to yield just one melon at a time. It takes years for farmers to master these specialized methods, contributing to the high price point of the melon.
Shizuoka melon farmers meticulously care for their produce by hand-watering the melons and using protective gloves to polish them, ensuring each melon is presented flawlessly. To maintain freshness during the two-week journey to the US, Ikigai individually wraps each fruit and surrounds them with specialty ice packs.
Unlike typical high-priced items that can be stored for special occasions, these rare fruits must be enjoyed within the first few days of arrival. In Japan, fruits like the Crown melon are integral to the gift-giving culture, symbolizing luxury and exclusivity.
While Ikigai Fruits offers a taste of Japanese luxury, there are also farms closer to home that cater to enthusiasts of rare fruits. Oishii vertical farms, based in the US, utilize Japanese strawberry seeds and ancient farming techniques to produce strawberries priced at $50 per box.
