$19 for a single strawberry? That seems well beyond the point of reason to me when it comes to grocery prices, but according to content creators who have been posting their reviews of a very special strawberry over the past few days, it might be the appropriate price to pay for a perfect piece of fruit.
Multiple users have posted clips of themselves trying the luxury berries they purchased at upscale Los Angeles-based grocery chain Erewhon, with the reviews quickly racking up millions of views throughout last weekend. It’s no surprise that these videos garnered so much attention — in addition to their $19 price tag per fruit, these berries from luxury Japanese fruit vendor Elly Amai come packaged individually, set on a soft cushion inside a miniature plastic cloche to protect the strawberry.
Some say this is the best strawberry they’ve ever had, while others note that it’s delicious but doesn't merit the hefty cost. Whether or not you’re willing to spend the dough is up to you — although I think we can all agree these aren’t the kind of berries you’ll be packing in your kids lunchboxes or turning into a big batch of jam — but before you decide to splurge on a single strawberry, there are a few questions about what this fruit is and what makes it remarkable that you may want answered.
What makes them so prized? These delicate berries are known for their heart-shaped profile when sliced down the middle, but above all else, their perfectly sweet taste. Per information that Elly Amai shared with Erewhon, these berries are not sour at all, and the vendor explains that high quality strawberries in Japan are those that have minimal acidity. The berries are only in season from December to June, which explains why you’re seeing them crop up in stores now.
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