Yubari King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cucumis melo 'Yubari King' |
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Section of a fresh Yūbari King melon
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| Genus | Cucumis |
| Species | C. melo |
| Hybrid parentage | Cucumis melo Earl's Favourite × Burpee's "Spicy" Cantaloupe |
| Cultivar | 'Yubari King' |
| Origin | Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan |
The Yubari King (夕張メロン, Yūbari Meron, Yūbari melon) is a very special type of cantaloupe melon. It is grown in greenhouses in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, a small city in Japan. This city is close to Sapporo.
The Yubari King is a hybrid melon. This means it was created by crossing two different types of cantaloupes. Its "parents" are two other melon types: Earl's Favourite and Burpee's "Spicy" Cantaloupe. Its scientific name is Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Yubari King.
Contents
Key Characteristics
- Appearance: Perfectly spherical with a smooth, creamy-beige rind. It has a distinct, delicate netting pattern and no ribbing.
- The "Tembo": A small, T-shaped stem (called the 'tembo') is left attached. This is a sign of quality and tradition.
- Flavor & Texture: The flesh is a vibrant orange, incredibly juicy, and has a supersweet, rich flavor with a complex floral aroma. The texture is exceptionally tender and melts in your mouth.
What Makes Yubari King Melons Special?
A top-quality Yubari King melon has a few key features. It should be perfectly round and have a super smooth skin, called a rind.
Farmers carefully snip the stem with scissors, leaving a small part on top. This makes the melon look even nicer. In Japan, some people give Yubari King melons as special gifts. They often do this during a summer festival called Chūgen (中元).
How Much Do Yubari King Melons Cost?
Yubari King melons are known for being very expensive. They are often sold at special auctions in Japan.
In 2024, a pair of Yubari Kings sold for ¥6 million (about $42,000 USD) at the season's first auction in Sapporo.
Even for non-auction melons, a single, high-grade Yubari King can easily cost 10,000 to 20,000 Yen ($70 - $140 USD) in a high-end department store in Japan.
Why is it so expensive?
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The Yubari King's status as a luxury item is driven by several factors:
- The melons are grown with extreme care. Farmers often prune each vine to bear only one perfect fruit, allowing the plant to concentrate all its sugars and nutrients into that single melon.
- They are rigorously inspected and graded. The highest grade is "Jō-Tokyu" (Superior Special Grade), awarded only to perfectly symmetrical melons with the ideal sugar content (Brix level of 14% or higher) and flawless netting.
How is it Eaten?
Due to its cost and status, eating a Yubari King is an experience.
- It's often given as an extremely prestigious gift in Japanese business and social culture.
- When eaten, it's typically served chilled and sliced simply to appreciate its pure, unadulterated flavor.
- Every part is used; the rind can be pickled or used to make jam.
