When it comes to fruit, and especially melons, the Japanese must be the most extravagant farmers and consumers in the World!
Not so long ago Roland Buerk of The BBC wrote a fine article about the musk melons grown in Shizuoka Prefecture:
Check here and you will be convinced I’m not biased!: Shizuoka Musk Melons-Japan’s obsession with perfect fruit by Roland Buerk of the BBC

Last night I received a phone call from a home delivery company checking my address as they were going to deliver me one these extravagant melons today as a gift from a friend!
Would you believe I stayed home all day just for that melon as it arrived only at 4:30 in the afternoon (on a Sunday!)?

Before I start describing the experience let me tell who is growing these beauties:
The Company is simply called Shizuoka Crown Melons and is located in Fukuroi City, although they are actually members of the Shizuoka Greenhouse Growers Association!
Although it is written in Japanese check their homepage here: SHIZUOKA CROWN MELONS.
Also check the CROWN MELON FARMERS INTERVIEW VIDEO!
Mind boggling!

Let me continue today’s story then:

The package! With indications “FRAGILE” and “KEEP IT STANDING”!

Another package inside the first package!
Japanese attention to care and details!

Japan Agriculture Forestry and Fishery Minister Award/Shizuoka Crown Melon/農林水産大臣賞受賞!

Such a beautiful box!
Alright, let’s open it!

English that anyone should be able to understand although the fruit are not exported!

To be consumed between November 16th and November 18th! Let’s hurry, then!

Plenty of explanations for the consumer’s attention!

Well, you must read Japanese! LOL

Actually the pamphlet is very informative, but once again you must be able to read Japanese! LOL again!

The melon!

Note the perfect T-shaped stem!
Would you believe that the melons are brushed every day by hand?

WOW!
Look at that color and the perfect smooth grain of the flesh inside.
The seeds are so small!
Only one melon is allowed to grow on each plant!

The flesh is just perfect with a regular color, a fine grain, juices bursting out but with just the perfect smoothness and firmness for the ultimate bite!

It will be tough to eat other melons after having tasted a Crown Melon, believe me!
It is unfortunate that one can’t convey the perfume and taste on the Internet!

Shizuoka Crown Melon
437-0056 Shizuoka Prefecture, Fukuroi City, Oyama, 239
Tel.: 0538-42-4146
Fax: 0538-42-3208
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City