Sekai Ichi is one of the most expensive apple varieties in the world, priced at $21 or more (approximately 500,000 VND). What makes this apple so special?
Flavor Profile
Sekai Ichi apples are among the largest apple varieties, with an average diameter ranging from 11 to 46 cm and a uniform, round to slightly conical shape. The skin of the apple is somewhat thick and firm, featuring a base color of yellowish-green, nearly entirely covered with shades of pink, red, and dark red, along with stripes and spots.
Sekai Ichi apples have a faint, fragrant aroma. (Photo: A-z-animals)
The red coloration on the apple’s surface is primarily a result of the sunlight the apples receive during cultivation. Beneath the skin, the flesh is ivory-colored, firm, juicy, and lightly textured, contributing to its crispness.
Sekai Ichi apples emit a faint, sweet aroma. The skin may have a slight bitterness, depending on the farming methods, but the flesh is low in acidity. Notably, Sekai Ichi apples are only available from fall to early winter.
Distinct Size
Sekai Ichi apples are exceptionally large, sometimes weighing more than 2 pounds (nearly 1 kg) each, while an average apple weighs less than half a pound. However, this large size makes them less favored by regular chefs due to the challenges of storage.
Commercially produced in Japan as a premium apple, the Sekai Ichi is prized for its large size, attractive appearance, and mild flavor. These apples are primarily given as gifts to family, colleagues, and friends.
Meaning of the Name
The name Sekai Ichi translates from Japanese to mean “the best in the world” or “number one in the world.” This apple variety is dubbed “the tastiest in the world” thanks to its complex cultivation techniques.
In Japanese, Sekai Ichi means “the best in the world.” (Photo: A-z-animals)
In Japan, each Sekai Ichi apple tree is hand-pollinated using small sticks to efficiently distribute pollen and ensure the tree is fertilized correctly. As the fruit begins to grow, growers thin the crop, leaving only a few fruits to allow the tree to provide enough nutrients for the apples to develop to their signature large size.
Even after thinning, maintaining such large apples poses a risk of branch breakage. Therefore, growers must closely monitor the trees to protect these specialty apples. This is also a factor that prevents mass production of this apple variety, further increasing the rarity of Sekai Ichi. Apples are only available in limited quantities each season.
During the harvest season, Sekai Ichi apples are hand-picked and inspected for defects, retaining only those with uniform color and shape. Before being marketed, the apples are washed with honey. This strict and time-consuming farming method has led to the Sekai Ichi being regarded as one of the most expensive apples in the world, sometimes costing over $21 each.
In Asia, Sekai Ichi apples are often given as gifts on special occasions and in business transactions. They are also commonly offered as a luxury fruit in five-star hotels in Shanghai and Hong Kong (China).
