This week is the season of the traditional square watermelon in the Japanese Zentsūji. Rungis from Barendrecht is making this special eyecatcher available for European buyers for the first time. Despite a harvest of only 250 specimens the square melon is the main agricultural product of the town of Zentsūji-shi. The Zentsūji region, known for the Zentsūji Temple, grows square watermelons as its speciality. There are 6 growers who grow these special fruits in total. The cultivation only takes place in the region of Zentsūji.
Francis and Gert-Jan Zonneveld Piek
Gastronomic trends
Over the years the founders of Rungis, Gert Jan and Francis Zonneveld Piek have regularly visited Japanese growers. Being allowed to import the square watermelons is one of the results of the created relationship. Rungis has been signalling the gastronomic trends for 26 years. Rungis is a flexible partner in fruits and vegetables, mainly for hospitality and catering companies.
More demand than supply
The Japanese national press gives a lot of attention to the season of the traditional square watermelon every year. In the Japanese warehouses there is huge demand, despite the extremely high price. A number of specimens are also shipped to Russia and Canada every year.
30 specimens to Europe
It is the first time that square watermelons have been flown to Europe. Rungis is especially proud that they manage to get 30 specimens. Gert Jan: "We sold 12 of them before they were even in. They will go to hotels, restaurants and super yachts. It's ideal for impressing your guests. It's mainly about the special appearance of the melon."
From generation to generation
"The way of growing in Japan is different than in Holland. Cultivation companies tend to be very small. There is still very traditional cultivation in which the feeling, experience and love for the crop lead the way. The knowledge of the way it is grown is passed down from generation to generation. The Japanese quality standard is also exceptionally high. You can see this in their agricultural products. Quality comes before quantity at all time for growers," says Gert Jan.
The cultivation
The best of the young melons is selected. The others are taken away so that all the energy goes to the remaining melon. When the round melon reaches a width of 10 cm, it is placed in a square transparent mould. Each melon is checked and turned around five times a day. The stripes on the melon have to be straight and it can't be damaged. Not all melons in the mould make it to the finish line. The square melon is harvested when it reaches a width of 18 cm. The cultivation is in open ground.
Eyecatcher
The square watermelon is mainly a decorative eyecatcher which can make someone very happy or surprised. If you want taste its better to opt for a round watermelon. The square watermelon isn't ripe enough to have good flavour. But you can enjoy the square watermelon for quite a while. They remain good for up to a year.
For more information:
Niels van den Berg
Rungis
Handelscentrum ZHZ 48
2991 LD Barendrecht
Tel. +31 180 617899
www.rungis.nl
Niels van den Berg
Rungis
Handelscentrum ZHZ 48
2991 LD Barendrecht
Tel. +31 180 617899
www.rungis.nl