Farmer Masaomi Suzuki has to keep the temperature constant to achieve the perfect crop

By Roland Buerk
BBC News, Tokyo and Shizuoka

Giving fruit as a gift is a common custom in Japan. But this fruit is not your normal greengrocers’ produce, complete with bumps, bruises and blemishes. The pick of the crop is grown with exquisite care and attention to detail – and commands an eye-watering price when it comes to market.
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Masaomi Suzuki has been working in his steamy greenhouses for 50 years, but even after all that time he says he still learns something new every day.

The process begins with the perfect seeds. The local farmers’ association breeds a new strain every year, seeking continuous improvements. Weak seedlings are weeded out. Then when the flowers appear, poor specimens are ruthlessly plucked and discarded.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY ROLAND BUERK HERE

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