A Melon Worth Half A Billion Vnd? The Secret Of How The Japanese Grow Melons

A melon costing a few tens of thousands of dong sounds ordinary enough. But in Japan, certain premium musk melons sell for tens of millions of dong. At one remarkable auction, just two melons fetched over 1 billion BND, roughly $40,000. It sounds unbelievable, after all, it is still just fruit. So what makes them so extraordinarily expensive? Is the flavor truly that different, or does the secret lie in how the Japanese grow them? For nearly 100 days, these melons are meticulously nurtured from seed, held to such exacting standards that even a single flaw can devalue the entire fruit. Today, let's explore how the Japanese transformed an ordinary fruit into a worldwide icon of luxury, because what they sell isn't just a melon, it's perfection. The journey of a premium Japanese musk melon begins with carefully selected sprouted seeds. These seeds are germinated in a tightly controlled environment to give each sprout the best possible start. A few weeks later, once the seedlings are strong and their first leaves appear, they are transplanted into greenhouses. There, farmers can control nearly every factor affecting the plant, temperature, humidity, and daily water supply. The greenhouses are designed to maintain a stable year-round environment, allowing the plants to grow under ideal conditions. When temperatures rise inside, the vents open to circulate air and cool the greenhouse. On colder days, the system retains warmth, creating favorable conditions for the plants to thrive. Water supply is calculated with great care. Too much water can dull the fruit's sweetness, too little can stunt its growth. So farmers must constantly monitor and adjust to ensure each plant receives exactly the right amount. As the vines grow vigorously, some farms tie the stems to hanging strings to guide them upward. This keeps the plants from sprawling across the ground, maximizes sunlight exposure, and makes care easier throughout the growing process. After about 50 days of growth, the first yellow blossoms begin to appear on the melon vines. This stage is decisive for the vines' ability to bear fruit and the overall quality of the harvest. To aid pollination, some farms introduce bee colonies, while others still hand-pollinate for finer control. Once pollination succeeds, the first young fruits begin to form on the vine. However, not all of them are kept. Farmers select the most beautifully shaped fruits, cut away the rest, and prune extra shoots to direct nutrients to the chosen fuel. The selected melons now enter their most critical growth phase. From thumb-sized beginnings, they swell day by day. Throughout this period, farmers monitor every fruit closely, ensuring each achieves the desired shape and size. At many farms, greenhouse conditions are tracked by electronic monitoring systems. Using this data, growers can fine-tune temperature, humidity, and light to give the vines the ideal environment. As the fruits enlarge, they are typically wrapped in protective bags to shield them from insects, dust, and the elements. Growers also use cords or slings to support the fruit, easing pressure on the stem and keeping growth evenly balanced. As the melons grow larger, their signature netted rind begins to form. These markings emerge naturally, as the flesh inside expands faster than the outer skin, weaving a white lace-like pattern around each fruit. For premium varieties, the more even and refined the netting, the higher the melon's value. Growers therefore watch this stage with great care. Some farms even use gloves to gently wipe the fruit's surface, encouraging uniform netting and preserving its beautiful appearance. In the final stretch before harvest, the melons are shielded with paper or protective covers to filter direct sunlight. This step protects the rind while preserving the fruit's optimal color and shape. After weeks of meticulous care, the melons gradually reach their full size and are ready for harvest day. Harvesting is done entirely by hand. Farmers carefully cut each fruit from the vine and place it into specialized crates to prevent bruising. They pay special attention to the stem. For many premium Japanese varieties, the stem signals freshness and adds to the fruit's aesthetic value. This is why many melons are harvested with a distinctive T-shaped stem still attached. Depending on the farm, the protective paper or outer wrapping may be left in place to minimize any impact on the fruit's surface during transport. After harvest, the melons are loaded onto carts and transported to the inspection, sorting, and packaging area. At the packing facility, the melons are inspected again and sorted by quality. Only those meeting strict standards for shape, size, and uniform netting are selected for market. Each melon is then labeled for traceability and carefully packaged. For premium varieties, each fruit is placed in its own box with protective cushioning to prevent damage in transit. In Japan, musk melons are more than just fruit, they are also considered a luxurious gift. That is why packaging is given special attention to ensure the most beautiful, flawless presentation when it reaches the customer. Beyond their popularity at home, these premium musk melons are also exported to many countries around the world. However, most of the harvest is consumed within Japan, where they often appear as gifts and at special occasions. Musk melons are believed to have originated in Africa and Western Asia before spreading to Europe and other parts of the world. Japan did not give birth to this fruit, but it is the country that elevated it into a premium product coveted by many. Although commonly referred to as Japanese Musk Melon, the name actually covers many different varieties grown across the country. Among them, the Crown Melon from Shizuoka Prefecture and the Yubari King from Hokkaido are the two most famous, frequently appearing at high-end fruit shops and costly auctions. Other varieties such as Andy's Melon and Higo Green Melon also exist, each with its own distinct flavor, shape, and character. However, for the most exceptional melons, their journey is not yet over. At the start of each season, the finest melons are entered into special auctions. These events are not just places to buy produce, they are opportunities for businesses to compete for the season's first lots. It is here that many price records have been set. At one point, just two Yubari King melons sold for several tens of millions of yen, the equivalent of over 1 billion VND, roughly $40,000. The price of Japanese Musk Melons varies dramatically depending on variety, quality, and timing. Ordinary melons may sell for anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred US dollars each. Meanwhile, premium varieties like Crown Melon or Yubari King often fetch millions of dong, even tens of millions, for fruit of exceptional quality. For first-season batches sent to auction, prices can climb far higher still. Which is why auction records for Japanese Musk Melons are broken year after year. So what makes these Japanese Musk Melons so extraordinarily expensive? Part of it is flavor, through rigorous care and tight control from sowing to harvest. Premium melons tend to boast high sweetness, tender juicy flesh, and a distinctive aroma. But flavor isn't the only factor, their value also comes from months of meticulous work by farmers. A demanding selection process, and the near-perfect appearance of every single melon. More importantly, in Japan, Musk Melons are far more than just a fruit. For many, they symbolize respect and are a favorite gift for special occasions. Perhaps that's why the Japanese aren't simply buying a melon, they're paying for quality, perfection, and the story behind every fruit. Not just popular in Japan, Musk Melons are widely grown and consumed across the US, China, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Europe. Thanks to their delicate sweetness, signature aroma, and high water content, they've become one of the world's most beloved fruits. Yet most Musk Melons on the international market remain far more affordable than Japan's premium offerings. In many countries, Musk Melons are an everyday fruit, sold in supermarkets and grocery stores at prices most consumers can comfortably afford. Depending on the region, they're enjoyed fresh or turned into juices, smoothies, ice cream, bingsu, fruit salads, and other desserts. In food and beverage, Musk Melons are a favorite ingredient for restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, prized for their beautiful color and easy pairing with other ingredients. In Vietnam, Musk Melons are growing in popularity, cultivated in provinces like Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan, as well as high-tech farms in the southern region. Modern greenhouse models now help domestic consumers access this fruit more easily, and at more reasonable prices than imported varieties. Today, Musk Melons appear not only in supermarkets and fruit shops but also as a familiar ingredient in many beloved dishes, drinks, and dessert menus. From a tiny seed to auctions worth hundreds of millions of dong, the journey of Japanese Musk Melons shows that a product's value lies not only in itself, but in the effort, time, and devotion invested behind it. Many people may think these melons are far too expensive. But for plenty of Japanese, they're not just buying fruit, they're buying perfection, quality, and what it represents. So, would you be willing to spend millions to enjoy a premium Musk Melon? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. And don't miss our next agricultural explorations. Bye for now, and see you in the next videos.