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.
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.
Record-Breaking Prices
These melons can sell for huge amounts of money. For example:
- In 2008, two Yubari King melons were sold together for 2.5 million yen (¥). That's a lot of money!
- In 2016, a fruit and vegetable market bought a pair of these melons for ¥3 million.
- The highest price ever recorded was in 2019. A company bought two Yubari melons for an amazing ¥5 million! This shows how much people value these special fruits.
