Friday, February 19, 2010

100% Japanese

While we use adjectives to refer to things or customs that are special to that particular nationality or ethnic group, we usually don't use phrases like "a British pear" in reference to fruit. Especially when fruit are determined by the climate rather than political or cultural boundaries. Unless it is a speciality where you can find no equality elsewhere. Like the Japanese melons or Japanese (Fuji) apples. They can be found strictly in Japan only.

That is the reason why ONE Japanese melon can fetch up to S$64 (approximately 30 pounds) because they are planted not only in Japanese soil but using Japanese methods and beliefs. Therefore such. These special melons are grown in an elite manner where only 3 melons are allowed to grow in each tree so that the nutrients of the tree would not be "diluted". When the melons grow to a fist size, the best of the 3 will be retained while the "substandard" ones will be removed. All the nutrients of ONE tree is devoted to the cultivation of ONE melon, thus explaining the wonder of THAT melon, and of course, the price tag that comes along with it. Well, it has to be the PERFECT one.

People have every right to satisfy their exquisite tastes and "needs". But then again, we have been talking about climate change and shortage of food year in and year out. Fingers are pointed at industralized countries and populous countries for putting the pressure on CO2 emission. Rethink about the CO2 emission PER HEAD. Who is the greatest polluter of this planet?

Moving away from the melons, we have imported apples from Japan, "decorated" with Chinese characters or to be exact, the Japanese characters, with Lunar New Year greetings. That comes with a dear price of course. Japanese style for Chinese occasion.