Densuke Watermelon

This very rare black Japanese watermelon is Densuke Watermelon, was auctioned for $6,100, making it possibly the most expensive watermelon ever sold.

“This is the highest price on record for a Densuke watermelon, and that probably means it’s the highest of any watermelon in Japanese history,” said a spokesman for the Tohma Agriculture Cooperative in Hokkaido.

 Other Densuke watermelons won't cost quite as much. Most will retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest &pund100-200, Ohira said. According to Ohira, it is the watermelon's unusual black skin which makes it so pricy. Inside, the fruit is crisp and hard.
Ohira added: "It's a watermelon, but it's not the same.It has a different level of sweetness."

The 17-pound melon was one of only 65 from the first harvest this season. Watermelons are often given as gifts in Japan as they are considered a “luxury item.” Very few are grown in the country.

This variety has round fruit up to 11 kg (25 lb.) The rind is black with no stripes or spots. It is only grown on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, where only 10,000 watermelons are produced every year. In June 2008, the first harvested watermelons were sold at an auction for 650,000 yen ($6,300.00 USD), making them the most expensive watermelons ever sold. The average selling price is generally around 25,000 yen ($250.00 USD).

 Official website about Densuke Watermelon