lifestyle

Farmer creates world’s first heart-shaped watermelon

3 Comments
By Michelle Lynn Dinh

We’re sure you’ve heard of square watermelons from Japan, but how about heart-shaped ones? After many years of research, Hiroichi Kimura, a farmer from Kumamoto Prefecture, has finally done it. But it was no easy task shaping the originally round fruits into the symbol of love. Let’s take a closer look at the fruits of this farmer’s labor.

Kimura originally grew standard round watermelons. One day, a neighbor commented that it would be so interesting to see a watermelon in the shape of a heart. Kimura’s curiosity was ignited and from that moment on, he began researching how to make a heart-shaped watermelon.

But this was no easy task. Every day, late into the night, Kimura read books and pamphlets about growing techniques, developed his heart-shaped mould, and researched the ideal cultivation method, soil conditions, atmospheric temperature, and moisture levels for his heart watermelons. It was a long process of trial and error.

At first, all of Kimura’s efforts ended in failure, but through it all, he never wanted to give up. Without getting discouraged, year after year he continued challenging himself to cultivate a heart-shaped watermelon until he finally succeeded.

Kimura’s heart watermelons have a crunchy consistency that gives way to pleasantly sweet juices. Once you’ve gulped down the red flesh, you’re left with a mellow sweetness that lingers on the tongue.

The driving force behind Kimura’s work has always been as simple as it is heartwarming. ”I want my customers to eat something delicious,” explains Kimura. Even now, after managing to cultivate the melon of his dreams, he continues to research and develop new, delicious varieties of watermelon. We are truly impressed by this farmer’s love and dedication to his trade.

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- From horseless carriages to iPhone5S, the world during 116-year-old Jiroemon Kimura’s lifetime -- 700 watermelons snatched from Ibaraki farm -- Hello Kitty Melons Selling for an Exorbitant Price in Japan

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3 Comments
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But this was no easy task. Every day, late into the night, Kimura read books and pamphlets about growing techniques, developed his heart-shaped mould, and researched the ideal cultivation method, soil conditions, atmospheric temperature, and moisture levels for his heart watermelons. It was a long process of trial and error. At first, all of Kimura’s efforts ended in failure, but through it all, he never wanted to give up. Without getting discouraged, year after year he continued challenging himself to cultivate a heart-shaped watermelon until he finally succeeded.

And these are the people surviving off the subsidies we give them from our tax...

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I actually like the packaging and the shape of the watermelon. I think these watermelons should be bought for special occasions such as marriage anniversary and etc.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

They already had them at the depato a few years ago.

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