They're crazy. That's what the first one I've told you about this story told me. The Japanese are crazy.

In Japan, a kind of fruit cult has been organized, which seems to be a shortage of fruit. The best gift you can receive is some fruit. All right, the fruits are worth it. But the madness for certain fruits is terrible. For example, a special grape (Vitis vinifera) is cultivated in the Ishikawa region: It's been sold since 2008, and after being elected by people in a referendum, it's called Ruby Roman. Only a few clusters of grapes are produced; the “premium” graded mass must weigh at least 700 grams, and each grain must weigh 30 grams. In 2010, only six million achieved this classification. None between 2011 and 2013. Last year and this year, on the other hand, yes. The auction of the largest variety of grapes has already been held this year. The mass of 26 grains making up 700 grams has been the best and most expensive auction: A cook, Masayuki Hirai, has paid EUR 7,500. If you're going there, you'll be able to enjoy the Nikko Kanazawa hotel.

The melons of Yubari (Cucumis melo) on the island of Hokkaido are also not large. The sweets, the first in the size of the water and at the feeding point, are unpredictable. It is special inspectors who will say whether or not the melon is of higher grade by finger clapping. In 2008 they paid EUR 19,000 for a single melon... On the palate, I don't know, but on the pocket, they're great.

Like the melon of Yubari, watermelon is considered a luxury gift. Only on the island of Hokkaido is the watermelon Densuke Black, Citrullus lanatus var lanatus produced. It's a 10-12 kilogram watermelon. Each year, some 10,000 copies grow and an average of EUR 225 is paid. For the former, an incalculable price has to be paid. Most of what has been paid has never been in 2008; for a single watermelon, EUR 5,700!

In the surroundings we also have benefits of this kind: Arbigas of the area of Arrasate, tears pea, potatoes of Noirmoutier...