At some of the most exclusive restaurants around the world, a once-humble ingredient is stepping into the spotlight. Take, for example, the Japanese Crown Musk Melon, which can cost as much as $200 each. Meticulously cultivated for over 100 years in Japan’s Enshu Region (the westernmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture), dedicated artisans give daily massages to each melon as well as tightly control and monitor the temperature and humidity of their growing environment for 100 days before harvesting.
Perhaps the most memorable Crown Melon presentation is at New York’s Sake No Hana, where for $250 (the most expensive item on the menu) a chef brings out a whole fruit, carves it table side, and presents a card certifying the story of the melon’s origins. With just ten melons made available every two weeks, it's only a select group of customers who get to end their meal this way.
Source: yahoo.com
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