One bunch of about 30 grapes recently sold for ¥1.1 million, or about $10,900, in Japan.
In Japan, special fruit is often seen as a status symbol in Japan. The grapes that Konishi now owns are called Ruby Romans and they’re the very first of the season, BBC reported.
Ruby Romans are a variety of grapes only grown in Ishikawa prefecture on the northern coast of Japan. According to Daily Mail, each grape is about the size of a ping pong ball. Konishi isn’t gobbling them up for himself, though. “We will display them at our store before giving our customers a sample taste.”
“I am so happy and I am honoured. These are truly Ruby Roman gems,” he said.
Ruby Romans are reportedly extremely sweet. Each grape must weigh at least 20 grams and have sugar content of at least 18%, according to The Guardian. The Ruby Roman’s seeds are of the Fujiminori variety.
Yet grapes are not the most prized fruit in the country. That title belongs to melons, and last year, a good pair sold for ¥1.5 million (US $15,000).
Such expensive fruits are often given away as gifts among the elite, but for Konishi, he’s giving them to customers for free. He hopes that his purchase makes Ishikawa farmers happy.
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