You Can Buy This Single Strawberry for $19—and It’s Going Viral: Here’s What It Really Tastes Like
Erewhon’s bougie berry is going viral. But does it taste different to a regular strawberry?
From glowing reviews on late-night talk shows to heated debates in the comments section, this $19 strawberry from the California-based upscale grocery chain Erewhon is taking the internet by storm. But is it really worth the price for this imported berry? Keep reading to see what people are saying.
What people are saying about Erewhon’s $19 strawberry
Carefully packaged in a clear plastic dome and imported from Kyoto, Japan, this pricey strawberry has made its way from Erewhon’s shelves to TikTok and onto news and late-night talk shows.
Just last week, Mindy Kaling claimed the berry was worth $100 during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Reviews like hers have sparked widespread curiosity, prompting many to try the berry for themselves.
In most cases, people said the strawberry was delicious, but the steep price left a bad taste in their mouths.
“I mean it’s really good, but $20 is way too much,” one reviewer said.
Vegan cookbook author Remy Morimoto Park filmed herself trying the viral berry. While she found it sweet and tasty, she also admitted that her review was tempered by its high price.
“If price is not a factor, I’d give it a 7 out of 10,” Park said in a video posted on Instagram. “With how much it costs, it’s a 5.”
As with many online trends, discussions sparked on Reddit, where one user captured a more cynical perspective succinctly: “Definitely the best strawberry I’ve had in my life…but it’s still just a strawberry.”
Why does this strawberry cost $19?
How did Erewhon end up charging nearly $20 for a single strawberry?
The answer lies in the origins of these berries. They are cultivated by Elly Amai, a brand known for sourcing premium fruits from renowned Japanese farms.
Japan has a long history of producing luxury fruits, and strawberries are no exception. One such variety, Bijin-hime, meaning “beautiful princess,” can fetch as much as $4,000 per fruit, thanks to their rarity and the meticulous, labor-intensive cultivation process.
American customers may also recognize the boxes of White Jewel strawberries sold for $10 each in grocery stores like Whole Foods nationwide.
These strawberries are pure white, achieved by growing them with less sunlight to reduce anthocyanin, the chemical responsible for the red color in regular strawberries.
The $19 strawberries from Erewhon are part of this rich tradition, offering consumers a taste of Japan’s dedication to fruit cultivation excellence.
Conversation
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