In Jordan, melons are just another one of our five-a-day. In Japan, the tasty fruit is regarded as a status symbol, which explains why on Saturday, two premium Yubari King melons were sold at auction for a record $29,300.

The sweet fruits were snapped up by a local fruit packing firm, which was adamant to win the bid for the first Yubari melons to go up for auction this year, officials said.

“Yubari melons are growing well this year as sunshine hours have been long since early May,” said market official Tatsuro Shibuta.

Yubari King can only be produced in the region it’s named after. It is a cross between two types of cantaloupe and it is reportedly their distinctive sweetness that makes them so sought-after.

Top quality Yubari melons will have perfect spheres with a smooth, evenly patterned rind. Farmers leave the T-shaped stalk on top of the fruit and place them in an ornate box when they go up for sale.

Basic (or less fortunate) melons usually cost between $53 - $106 to buy in Japan. That’s what most of us will spend on a week to a month’s supply of fruits and vegetables!

So the next time someone presents you with Yubari melons, know that you’re very, very special!