Most people think strawberries are red, but what if they are not? Some desserts and snacks look pink because they have strawberry flavor, but some farmers in Japan have a different idea. They make white strawberry that are very special and expensive. They are different from the red strawberry we usually see.
What Is A Japanese White Strawberry
This strawberry is called Shiroi Houseki (White Jewel) or Hatsukoi no Kaori strawberry – the smell of first love in Japanese. It looks very special. It is white on the outside and inside.
These strawberries were made by some farmers in Japan who wanted to make a new kind of strawberry that tastes better and sweeter. They worked hard for many years to make these strawberries by mixing different kinds of strawberries together. They wanted to make a strawberry that is white and sweet.
Another amazing fruit from Japan is the Red Ruby Roman grapes. They are much bigger than normal grapes.
How Are White Strawberries Different From Red Strawberries
The difference is how they are grown and how big they are. White strawberries were made by a farmer named Yasuhito Teshima who mixed different strawberries together until he made white ones.
Making new kinds of strawberries is not easy. It needs a lot of work and care. The farmers have to choose and mix different strawberries to make new ones that have what they want.
For the white strawberries, the farmers started by mixing a white strawberry from Chile with a red strawberry from Japan. They picked the best plants and kept mixing them to make them white and sweet.
But that was not enough to make them white. They also had to keep them away from the sun. When the strawberries get sun, they make more color in their skin. The color is called anthocyanin. When the strawberries do not get sun, they make less color and less green stuff, called chlorophyll, that most plants have. Then they become white or light pink.
To do this, the farmers covered the plants with something that blocked the sun. This let them decide how much sun the strawberries got and made them change color.
After a long time, the farmers were able to make good white strawberries that looked nice and tasted good. They were also strong and healthy. Now, the white strawberries of Japan are very special and expensive.
They are not grown a lot and they cost a lot of money in special shops and places that sell expensive fruits. They are often given as gifts for important events, like weddings or holidays.
Why Do White Strawberry Cost So Much
White strawberries from Japan are very expensive. They can cost more than $10 for one. Sometimes, a pack of 8 can cost $150. There are many reasons for this. White strawberries are hard to make.
Only 10% of the strawberries turn out white, the rest have red or pink spots. The white ones are very special and rare, so they cost more. Here are other reasons they are expensive.
Not many
White strawberries are not many compared to other strawberries, because they are hard to grow and need special things to live. This makes them special and rare, which makes them cost more.
A lot of work
Growing white strawberries needs a lot of work and care. Farmers have to watch the temperature, water, and light to grow a few strawberries. This needs a lot of work and things, which makes them cost more to make.
Many people want them
White strawberries are wanted by many people, especially people who like to buy expensive fruits.
Good quality
White strawberries are good quality, which means they taste good and look good. They are picked by hand and checked for their best color and softness, which makes them worth more.
Good gifts
In Japan, giving gifts is important, especially for special days like weddings and birthdays. White strawberries are often given as gifts, which makes them more valuable and expensive.
Different kinds of White Strawberries
1. Shiroi Houseki
This is one of the most famous kinds of white strawberries and it is the rarest in Japan. The name “Shiroi Houseki” means “white jewel” in Japanese, and it tastes good and has a white color with no red spots. It is soft and tastes like strawberries and cream.
2. Hatsukoi no Kaori
This kind of white strawberry has a light pink color and smells like roses. It grows in the Yamanashi Prefecture and is juicy and sweet, with a flower taste. It gets a little sun to get the pink color. This fruit is good for valentine’s day.
3. Shinjuhime – Pearl Princess
Pearl Princess is a white strawberry with a bright white color and it is made by Nara Ichigo Lab. It smells like tropical fruits and tastes like apple, banana and pineapple.
4. Angel Strawberry
Angel Strawberry grows in the Saga Prefecture and is also called Angel Eight (AE). The strawberry’s skin is light pink, and it tastes sweet and sour. You can also grow this strawberry at home.
5. Tokun
A strawberry from Hokkaido is called a tokun. The skin of this strawberry is more red or pink than white. It smells like peaches and some people say it tastes like caramel.
6. Milky Berry
Milky Berry grows in Tochigi Prefecture. The Milky Berry strawberry was made in 2020 from the white Hatsukoi no Kaori strawberry. It is called “milky” because it has a smooth texture, is sweet, and is white, like milk.
7. Awayuki
Awayuki white strawberries grow in the south of Japan, in Kagoshima Prefecture. They are a kind of Sagahonoka strawberries. They are not white, but light orange or pink.
In the end, the white strawberries in Japan were made by the hard work and care of the farmers who made this special kind of fruit. The fruit is very beautiful and special, and shows how people can make amazing things.