Japan's Rich Array of Seasonal Fruit and Vegetables Mandarin oranges are Japan's most popular fruit. A basket piled high with these vivid orange citrus fruits is a common sight on dining tables in most Japanese homes.
Persimmons are the national fruit of Japan. They are usually in season between September and December, and are a good source of potassium, phosphorous, and vitamin C. This article will look at the types and benefits of persimmon fruit, their nutritional content, and how to include them in the diet.
Based on production quantities, the most popular fresh fruits worldwide in order are bananas, apples and grapes. Bananas and apples are grown on trees, and watermelons are grown on thick vines.
Frequency of consuming fruits in Japan 2022
The majority of Japanese consumers ate fruits on a weekly basis as revealed in a survey conducted in October 2022. While around one quarter of respondents stated to almost never eat fruits, over 22 percent of respondents ate fresh or processed fruits almost daily.
In many parts of the world, fruit is eaten as an everyday snack, but for Japan, it is regarded as a precious gift given to someone you want to impress, show your gratitude to, or wish well. It's also common to be served a few slices of fruit at the end of a high-end, multi-course kaiseki meal.
1. Sushi. Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish and the first thing people think of when they think of Japanese cuisine.
Tomatoes
Most tomato crops come from China, India, Turkey, and the United States. It's no wonder that tomatoes are the most consumed fruit in the world, especially since they're a dietary staple for millions of people.
The top ranked country, China, accounted for 24.4 % of fruit consumption in the world. The top 3 countries hold a 49.0 % share while the ten largest countries some 65.3 % in 2020.
Yubari melon is by far the most expensive fruit in Japan and even arguably in the world. It is available only to the top 1% in the society because of how rare it is. This is because it is only grown in greenhouses in the Yubari region in Japan. Yup, it's not mass produced so it is limited.
As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity among men and women as well as long life expectancy.
Banana. Of course, bananas had to be on the list! Australians eat more than five million of these golden yellow fruits every day – and they are the highest selling supermarket food.
Disliked by most Europeans and banned from the underground in Singapore, the durian is treasured by people all over Asia and revered as the veritable 'King of Fruits'.
Which fruit is at the top? The banana, of course! Over 100 billion bananas are consumed worldwide each year. India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia account for half of that consumption.
Better known as Koshu grapes, these delicious pink berries originate in the Yamanashi Prefecture southwest of Tokyo. Think of it as the fruit counterpart of the Japanese cherry blossoms. But unlike these famed florals, Koshu grapes make for great gastronomic treats from Japan!
Well, seasons have a big weight in Japanese culture, and Japanese people love representations of the different times of the year in every form. Fruit is often seen as a suitable gift because it has a seasonality to it that allows people to experience the colors, smells and tastes of that season.
The Densuke watermelon is one of the most expensive melons in the world. This fruit is grown in Hokkaido Japan. The low number of fruits produced a season and the high demand for this melon cause its absurdly high prices.
Price of domestic dragon fruit is JPY400-500 (approx. US$3.81-4.76 at 1US$ = 105JPY). This is due to production volume of dragon fruit in Japan is small.
A single Japanese peach can cost anywhere from 200 yen (about $1.50) to 1000 yen (about $7.60).
1/ Okinawan diet – Japan
Widely considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Okinawan diet has numerous health benefits. So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and second longest life expectancy of any developed country.
The lowest daily intake was found in Romania, where only 2% of the population ate at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, followed by Bulgaria and Slovenia (both 5%) and Austria (6%).
Only one fruit, Grapes is liked by less than 10 people. All other fruits are liked by at least 10 or more people.