Malaysian farmers have finally discovered how to grow prized Japanese muskmelons, regarded as ‘art pieces’
- Farmers regularly rub the melons with a soft cloth to enhance their flavour, and play classical music over speakers in the greenhouses, which is believed to stimulate growth
- Since the last century, farmers in Japan have been perfecting the art of cultivating these melons, which are prized for their taste and precise spherical shape
“Every single Japanese melon that you see in our farm is almost like an art piece,” said Seh Cheng Siang, director and co-founder of Mono, at the company’s farm in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya.
Since the last century, farmers in Japan have been perfecting the art of cultivating these melons, which are prized for their taste and precise spherical shape, and are sold in high-end shops as luxury items.
In attempting to match this quality, the farmers have had to contend with Malaysia’s hot and humid tropical climate, a world away from the more temperate conditions in Japan.
“We have to make sure that nutrition, the watering and the fertiliser are done very consistently and precisely,” said Seh, adding that they tried growing more than 10 varieties of Japanese melon, before they found the right one.
They also used trial and error to overcome challenges such as determining the optimal composition of the nutrition given to the melon plants.
Despite these obstacles, Mono’s first batch of 200 selected melons have sold out, thanks mainly to online sales.
The melons are sold for 168 ringgit (US$40.70) each, about a third of the price the Japan varieties normally go for.
“It’s pretty interesting to know that as a Malaysian, we can actually grow Japanese-grade melons in Malaysia,” said Elaine Chow, a customer who attended a recent event at the greenhouses.