Fruit

I've mentioned before that I really miss the fruit of a UK summer. That's not to say that fruit is not available here, but when something is packaged to within an inch of its life it does loose its appeal. There are no markets with piles of colour and flavour to savour. Instead supermarkets display an ever changing mound of individually wrapped items, mostly hidden behind tissue and foam. In Tokyo's Midtown area, there is a shop that sells nothing but fruit, all shown in glass displays like precious jewels, with price tags to match. It is always in perfect condition - when everything is imported, why get anything but I suppose, but for me, its imperfections that make things beautiful. That is not to say that it isn't delicious. Strawberries taste amazing, as to pineapples, grapes - in fact everything I have tried so far (except apples which are boring, floury and tasteless).

Here are some pictures of grapes - large and succulent, but look at the price - the green ones are valued at about 45 quid. Luckily nobody pinches anything! Specially grown shapes are also available. Shown here are square and pyramid shaped watermelons. I'm not sure why!