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Whether you want to say thank you or congratulations, inevitably, not just any old fruit will do. Gifted fruit is generally expected to be close to perfect. Consequently, an incredibly high standard of fruit is kept by farmers across the country. In Miyazaki Prefecture, for instance, the regional mangoes (known as Taiyo-no-Tamago, which translates to egg of the sun), are often grown at a maximum of 1-2 per tree. Each mango must hit a minimum weight of 350 grams, and a “Brix sugar level” of 15%, which is dutifully measured by farmers with a tool called a “refractometer,” that determines the sucrose levels in the fruit.

The Aomori Prefecture Sekai Ichi apples, a name suitably translated to “the world’s best,” grow in harvests of only 1,000 a year, with prices beginning at a minimum of ¥3,000 (about $20). Despite their price though, you do at least get bang for your buck with these Tohoku treats. A single apple weighs around 1 kilogram, with an average circumference of around 1 foot. In order for Ishikawa Prefecture’s Ruby Roman grapes to hit the mark, each individual fruit must be at least 3 centimeters wide, with a Brix sugar content of at least 18%.

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In Japanese culture, the concept of omiyage is the practice of gift-giving following a return from a trip. Then there are temiyage gifts given when visiting someone else’s house, as well as ochugen and oseibo, that are given by co-workers, friends and relatives in December. There are many gifting occasions and fruit is one of the more popular options.

Particularly in the case of temiyage, fruit is often opted for by gift-givers for two main reasons. For a start, its perishability eliminates any threat of this gift creating unwanted clutter and taking up space in the receiver’s home. Secondly, given its organic nature, fruit adeptly conveys the changing of Japan’s four seasons, a highly valued aspect of the culture here.

This tradition of fruit giving, however, is not a recent phenomenon. As early as the 14th century, fruit was gifted by samurai when they visited their leaders. Buddhists and Shintoists also thought the seeds of fruit had great potential, making them popular offerings at shrines. While fruit is not imbued with the same sense of spiritualism today, the value with which it is bestowed, as well as the sincere sense of gratitude it is used to convey, demonstrates how this act has evolved over the centuries.

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