March 21, 2024
This variety of cantaloupe from Japan is known for its sweetness, perfect spherical shape, and intricate stem. They are grown in very specific conditions and can fetch hundreds to thousands of dollars each, especially if they are part of a first harvest.
Matsutake mushrooms are a wild variety from Japan prized for their complex, earthy flavor. They are difficult to cultivate and can only be foraged in the wild for a short season each year. Depending on the quality and size, they can sell for hundreds of dollars per pound.
While turmeric is a common spice in many parts of the world, fresh turmeric root can be quite expensive, especially if it's organic and sourced from a particular region. This is because the root is relatively labor-intensive to harvest and process.
These prized fungi grow underground near the roots of certain trees and are notoriously difficult to cultivate. They are often hunted with specially trained pigs or dogs and can sell for thousands of dollars per pound, especially rare varieties like white truffles from Alba, Italy.
These small, citrusy peppers are native to Japan and are known for their unique flavor and mouth-numbing properties. Sansho peppercorns can be quite expensive, especially depending on the variety and source.
Asparagus can be expensive, especially early in the season when there is limited supply. White asparagus, which is grown without sunlight, is even more expensive than green asparagus.
Real wasabi, which is made from the grated rhizome of the Wasabia japonica plant, is quite rare and expensive. The vast majority of "wasabi" sold in stores is actually a mixture of horseradish, mustard, and green food coloring.