Square Watermelons?
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Can You Imagine?
Who would have ever thought about the possibility of growing a square watermelon? Apparently, the Japanese! When faced with a problem of the large round fruit taking up so much space in the markets and also being harder to ship the Japanese complained to their suppliers about the large, round shape. Even consumers complained about the large fruit taking up so much space in their refrigerators. Most of the reactions that they received from suppliers were, "That's just the way they are and it is impossible for us to do anything about that" or "If you want the watermelon, you will have to have it round".
Being faced with this challenge, rather than thinking that it was impossible to change this, the Japanese set out to try to find a solution to the problem. And that, they did! The result....a square watermelon!
Simple Answer
This is not some scientific experiment but something far more simple. They discovered that in order to make a square watermelon, you simply had to sit the watermelon inside a square, tempered glass case as it grew. The fruit would then take on the shape of its surroundings!
The discovery of this cubic fruit, however does not come without a price. The normal round watermelon in Japan costs $15 to $25 each as the square watermelon costs 10,000 yen, which is equivalent to $82 each! Talk about the price of discovery!
Even with the high cost, you have to appreciate the lesson that can be learned from the Japanese in this situation. Instead of thinking that it was impossible to achieve, they set out to find a way that it could be achieved and they did it!
U.S. Not Likely To Follow Suit
Samantha Winters of the National Watermelon Promotion Board in Orlando, Florida stated that considering all of the various ways that watermelons are available in the U.S., it is doubtful that we will see the square watermelons in the supermarkets any time soon.
I don't know about any of you but I just can't wait to get mine! Just imagine what a nice gift it would make and all you would have to do is tie a ribbon around it. Heck, I think even Santa would appreciate such a unique gift as a square watermelon don't you? Would be much easier to pack into his sleigh when heading to the North Pole!
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LOL, Steph! That was quick! I agree that this is totally ingenious! Sometimes it is the simplest solutions that seem the hardest to figure out! Thanks for stopping by and posting!
Bonnie
It's like tying a baby's head to grow into a certain shape, as in some old cutlures., but with a melon instead.
I remember being chased by a rolling water melon as big as I was when I was about 4 or 5. It was faster than me and ran me down.
LOL, Patty! See, if they had only been square, you would have been spared this horrific trauma!
Thanks for stopping by and posting. This was an interesting hub to write and I will be more interested to see what the comments bring!
Bonnie
LOL everybody! Bonnie, how cool.
The Japanese have been ahead of everybody for a long time about how to make things fit into small spaces. Recall the little hotel pods? Like a super-modern version of Pullman sleeping platforms. The Japanese made it so that you can pack 35 over-night bodies into a space traditionally reserved for one person.
Think bonsai.
Wonderful hub. I can't wait to grow my own square watermelon, pumpkin, and maybe cucumber. Wouldn't it be nice to have square cucumber slices on your summer salad? Better yet, carrots. They would be so much easier to dice.
I get carried away.
Probably much easier to carry around too!
I remember having to carry a watermelon from the car to a waiting family reunion when I was about 5 or 6 and you guessed it--I dropped it. SPLAT!
Most of it was salvaged, my tears were dried and the watermelon seeds "spitted" just fine.
Sally, Ruthie, Thanks so much for dropping by!
Ruthie, I have been there and done that with the round watermelom that I quickly learned did not bounce very well LOL.
Sally, I had not heard about the hotel pods. I would love for you to do a hub on that subject. They obviously didn't have to worry about a pet taking over the bed, that's for sure LOL. I think since I have this big back yard now, I may just have to experiment with square fruits and veggies myself LOL.
Bonnie
Ruthie, did you guys have the seed spitting contests, too?
Hi Bonnie,
Those are really cool-looking watermelons! Interesting hub - had never heard of square watermelons before. I like the fact that they fit into the fridge better. I like eating them, I just don't like buying them and lugging them here and there because they are so big and then there's the hassle of trying to make room in the fridge. No worries, There's always bigger fish to fry!
Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed all the comments too. Bye Bye for now!
Bluebird,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed the hub. Can't wait to try this myself LOL.
Bonnie
Bonnie! not so long ago they also tried to grow square tomatoes...That project was abandoned soon after as they just wouldn't ripen evenly. I'm sorry to say this but I'm sick and tired of people messing with my food.
Loved the hub regards Zsuzsy
Amazing! I wonder, since these watermelons cannot achieve their full size and shape, if the pulp is sweeter or more dense than a normal watermelon. It would be worth a taste to find out, anyway. Great hub!
Thanks, Cybermouse! I just love that name! I would love to have a chance to taste one, too!
Bonnie
Ummm!!!
LOL. Thanks for dropping by SirDent! You are always welcome! Now let's got eat 'dem watermelons!
Bonnie
Those square watermelons all have the same size, they look like they've just come out of a mold. Oh, wait - they HAVE just come out of a mold! :D
LOL! Thanks for stopping by and posting, Susan! You gonna try one?
Bonnie
i like this idea!! but Square peas would be handy! ..mine always end up on the floor!
LMBO! I heard that! Just imagine how much neater it would be for babies and how much easier it would be for them to catch them in the plate! LOL
Bonnie
I'd try it just to be able to say I've eaten a square watermelon - if I see it in the supermarket. :p I'm actually curious to find out if it tastes the same as a regular round watermelon.
Chances are you won't find them in the supermarkets if you are in the U.S. The only way you can try it is to grow one yourself. Think I am going to try it this summer LOL. Curiosity is killing me!
Bonnie
It's summer here in the Philippines now. :) Thinking about it, I don't think we'll be importing those square watermelons from Japan soon. :p Let us know how your little experiment goes. :)
Sure will, Susan! I am looking forward to it now! Summer should hurry up!
I love the Japanese people! What will they think of next? How will they blow our minds next? LOL
Brilliant!
WriteOn!
LOL, I agree, WriteOn! The thing that has always amazed me about the Japanese is that they are perfectionists. While we Americans concentrate more on the production quantity, the Japanese concentrate on quality, even if it takes them years to produce a single product. That, to me, is very impressive.
Bonnie
Looking at the photos a person would think it was a funny Photoshopped joke. Freaky!
LOL I agree, Angela! Who would have ever thought this would be real? Thanks for stopping by!
Bonnie
I like the look of the square watermelon, but not the price. Ha.
LOL I agree, Whitney! That's why I am going to grow my own. It's a lot cheaper and I get to watch the process, to!
Bonnie
I can't wait to try this with regular melons. Several years ago when I was in Japan fresh melon was so highly valued that they used to sell it in high end department stores instead of the food market. We sure take a lot of things for granted in the US.
John
Thanks for dropping in! I certainly agree with you about taking things for granted! My nephew went to Japan when he was in the Navy and I was amazed at the things he told us when he returned about the prices of things there!
Bonnie
Thanks for stopping by, Decrescendo!
stephhicks68 Level 7 Commenter 4 years ago
No more rolling out the hatch back when I'm unloading groceries! Ingenious!