Square watermelon

Square watermelon from Japan

Square watermelons are watermelons grown into the shape of a cube. This is generally intended for space efficiency in small refrigerators. The practice of growing cube watermelons is popular in Japan. However, the cube watermelons are often very expensive and therefore are sold more as an ornamental novelty.

Square watermelons were intended to fit more compactly in fridges and be able to be cut more easily (without rolling). They were invented by graphic designer Tomoyuki Ono in 1978. She presented the watermelons in a gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.[1] She also applied for and received a patent in the United States.[2]

According to the BBC, the watermelons were invented during the 1980s by a farmer who lived on Shikoku in Zentsuji, Kagawa. The melons are grown in boxes and assume the shape of the container. They tend to appeal to wealthy or fashionable consumers because in 2001 they cost anywhere from two to three times a normal watermelon (at about $83).[3][4][5]

Since the advent of the square watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Melonen nun im Quadrat, Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1978-08-21, p. 5 (Austrian Newspaper, German)
  2. ↑ Molding process for a natural fruit of a fruit-tree or vegetable, a molding frame therefor and molded above fruit. US 4187639 A
  3. ↑ "Square fruit stuns Japanese shoppers". BBC. 15 June 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "A de-vine idea: square watermelon". Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading Eagle. 15 June 2001. p. B10. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Allen, Rick (3 August 2006). "Watermelons are nature's sweet way of fending off summer's heat" (63.337). Ocala, Florida. Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 4C. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "Square fruit: Odd-shaped melons herald Japan summer". CTVNews. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  7. ↑ Paton, Callum (3 July 2015). "Japan: Heart-shaped melons go on sale as part of country's tradition of extravagant fruit gifts". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 31 July 2015.

Further reading

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