Square watermelon: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Watermelon grown in the shape of a cube}} |
{{short description|Watermelon grown in the shape of a cube}} |
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{{redirect|Cube watermelon|the American cartoonist who uses the pseudonym Cube Watermelon|Mary_Cagle}} |
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[[File:Square watermelon.jpg|thumbnail|Square watermelon from Japan]] |
[[File:Square watermelon.jpg|thumbnail|Square watermelon from Japan]] |
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'''Square''' or '''cube watermelons''' are [[watermelons]] grown into the shape of a [[cube]]. Cube watermelons are commonly sold in Japan, where they are essentially ornamental and are often very expensive, with prices as high as |
'''Square''' or '''cube watermelons''' are [[watermelons]] grown into the shape of a [[cube]]. Cube watermelons are commonly sold in Japan, where they are essentially ornamental and are often very expensive, with prices as high as {{USD|200}}. |
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==Purpose and uses== |
==Purpose and uses== |
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Cube 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. He presented the watermelons in a gallery in [[Ginza]], Tokyo.<ref>''[http://www.arbeiter-zeitung.at/cgi-bin/archiv/flash.pl?year=1978&month=8&day=21&page=5&html=1 Melonen nun im Quadrat]'', Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1978-08-21, p. 5 (Austrian Newspaper, German)</ref> He also applied for and received a patent in the United States.<ref>[http://www.google.com/patents/US4187639 Molding process for a natural fruit of a fruit-tree or vegetable, a molding frame therefor and molded above fruit. US 4187639 A]</ref> |
Cube 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. He presented the watermelons in a gallery in [[Ginza]], Tokyo.<ref>''[http://www.arbeiter-zeitung.at/cgi-bin/archiv/flash.pl?year=1978&month=8&day=21&page=5&html=1 Melonen nun im Quadrat]'', Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1978-08-21, p. 5 (Austrian Newspaper, German)</ref> He also applied for and received a patent in the United States.<ref>[http://www.google.com/patents/US4187639 Molding process for a natural fruit of a fruit-tree or vegetable, a molding frame therefor and molded above fruit. US 4187639 A]</ref> |
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The melons are grown in boxes and take the shape of the container |
The melons are grown in boxes and take the shape of the container, and tend to appeal to wealthy or fashionable consumers. In 2001, square watermelons sold for {{Yen|10,000}} in Japan (about {{USD|83}}), two to three times the price of regular watermelons in Japanese stores.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Square fruit stuns Japanese shoppers|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1390088.stm|newspaper = [[BBC]]|date = 15 June 2001|access-date = 31 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A de-vine idea: square watermelon|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=20010615&id=cPohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TqMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2613,8817698&hl=en|accessdate=31 July 2015|agency=Reading Eagle|date=15 June 2001|location=Reading, Pennsylvania|page=B10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Allen|first1=Rick|title=Watermelons are nature's sweet way of fending off summer's heat|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20060803&id=-zpNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oAkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6747,541199&hl=en|accessdate=31 July 2015|agency=Ocala Star-Banner|issue=63.337<!--Volume 63, Number 337-->|date=3 August 2006|location=Ocala, Florida|pages=1C, 4C}}</ref> In the United States in 2014, some sold for {{USD|200}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holliday |first1=Ian |title=$200 square watermelons are selling, despite the price tag |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/200-square-watermelons-are-selling-despite-the-price-tag-1.1915180 |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=British Columbia |date=15 July 2014 |language=en}}</ref> |
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Although cube melons were originally created with practicality in mind, the cost |
Although cube melons were originally created with practicality in mind, the cost is prohibitive. The cube shape of the watermelon can only be achieved at the expense of its contents. To retain the proper shape, cube melons must be harvested before they are ripe, rendering them inedible.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinchko |first1=Alexey |last2=Mingazev |first2=Sergey |title=Square watermelons Japan. English version |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JNSpMhJLvg |website=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=19 June 2018 |date=6 November 2013}}</ref> |
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Since the advent of the cube watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.<ref name="CTVNews 2015">{{cite web | title=Square fruit: Odd-shaped melons herald Japan summer | website=CTVNews | date=4 July 2015 | url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/square-fruit-odd-shaped-melons-herald-japan-summer-1.2453720 | accessdate=31 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Paton 2015">{{cite web | last=Paton | first=Callum | title=Japan: Heart-shaped melons go on sale as part of country's tradition of extravagant fruit gifts | website=International Business Times UK | date=3 July 2015 | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/japan-heart-shaped-melons-go-sale-part-countrys-tradition-extravagant-fruit-gifts-1509167 | accessdate=31 July 2015}}</ref> They are also available in other countries now, such as in Germany. |
Since the advent of the cube watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.<ref name="CTVNews 2015">{{cite web | title=Square fruit: Odd-shaped melons herald Japan summer | website=CTVNews | date=4 July 2015 | url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/square-fruit-odd-shaped-melons-herald-japan-summer-1.2453720 | accessdate=31 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Paton 2015">{{cite web | last=Paton | first=Callum | title=Japan: Heart-shaped melons go on sale as part of country's tradition of extravagant fruit gifts | website=International Business Times UK | date=3 July 2015 | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/japan-heart-shaped-melons-go-sale-part-countrys-tradition-extravagant-fruit-gifts-1509167 | accessdate=31 July 2015}}</ref> They are also available in other countries now, such as in Germany. |
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*[[Unusually shaped vegetable]] |
*[[Unusually shaped vegetable]] |
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*[[Gift economy]] |
*[[Gift economy]] |
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*[[Mary_Cagle|Cube Watermelon (cartoonist)]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 08:44, 21 July 2021
Square or cube watermelons are watermelons grown into the shape of a cube. Cube watermelons are commonly sold in Japan, where they are essentially ornamental and are often very expensive, with prices as high as US$200.
Purpose and uses
Cube 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. He presented the watermelons in a gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.[1] He also applied for and received a patent in the United States.[2]
The melons are grown in boxes and take the shape of the container, and tend to appeal to wealthy or fashionable consumers. In 2001, square watermelons sold for ¥10,000 in Japan (about US$83), two to three times the price of regular watermelons in Japanese stores.[3][4][5] In the United States in 2014, some sold for US$200.[6]
Although cube melons were originally created with practicality in mind, the cost is prohibitive. The cube shape of the watermelon can only be achieved at the expense of its contents. To retain the proper shape, cube melons must be harvested before they are ripe, rendering them inedible.[7]
Since the advent of the cube watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.[8][9] They are also available in other countries now, such as in Germany.
See also
References
- ^ Melonen nun im Quadrat, Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1978-08-21, p. 5 (Austrian Newspaper, German)
- ^ Molding process for a natural fruit of a fruit-tree or vegetable, a molding frame therefor and molded above fruit. US 4187639 A
- ^ "Square fruit stuns Japanese shoppers". BBC. 15 June 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ "A de-vine idea: square watermelon". Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading Eagle. 15 June 2001. p. B10. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Allen, Rick (3 August 2006). "Watermelons are nature's sweet way of fending off summer's heat". No. 63.337. Ocala, Florida. Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 4C. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Holliday, Ian (15 July 2014). "$200 square watermelons are selling, despite the price tag". British Columbia. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ Pinchko, Alexey; Mingazev, Sergey (6 November 2013). "Square watermelons Japan. English version". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
- ^ "Square fruit: Odd-shaped melons herald Japan summer". CTVNews. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ 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.