Comprehension: Japan's Luxury Fruit Masters Grow Money on Trees

An industry of fruit boutiques has defied Japan's sluggish economy to consistently offer luscious and lavishly tended produce for hefty prices - and it is always in demand.

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. One peach and a bunch of grapes cost 95 dollars when bought together.

a. True

b. False

2. The boutique sells frozen fruit.

a. True

b. False

3. In the auction one cantaloupe melon sold for the same price as a car.

a. True

b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

In Japan, perfectly formed fruit can fetch a fortune. Despite the sluggish economy, luscious produce from luxury fruit boutiques has always been in demand.  This perfectly formed cantaloupe from Shizuoka costs the equivalent of 175 US dollars.

“Only the most promising young melons are selected before being placed in glass chambers where the temperature is adjusted 6 times in 24 hours.  This is a product that requires time and expertise.  It takes 100 work days to produce one of these melons.”

A fresh peach that’s 30 dollars, a bunch of grapes, 95, the bill can easily add up. This housewife is spending 30 dollars on some frozen fruits for her family dinner.

“It’s nice to eat luxury fruit sometimes.  It really is better and it boosts the moral.  It’s like eating a cake.”

High-end fruit is often given to relatives, business associates or bosses with the gift showing the importance of the relationship.

“It’s fun, I often get given them in the summer or at the end of the year.”

For even greater luxury, buyers might consider bidding at a yearly auction in Northern Japan where a pair of cantaloupe melons goes up for sale.  The hammer fell on this year’s pair at a cool 16,000 US dollars, the price of a car.

Answers:

1. b

2. a

3. b

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