Sekai Ichi
| Sekai ichi | |
|---|---|
| Species | Malus domestica |
| Hybrid parentage | Red Delicious × Golden Delicious (suspected) |
| Cultivar | Aori No.4 |
| Marketing names | Sekai Ichi (World's Number One) |
| Origin | Morioka, 1930 |
Sekai ichi (Japanese: 世界一) is a cultivated variety or cultivar of apples from Japan. It was first planted in Morioka in 1930 and released to market in 1974.[1] It is one of the largest varieties of apples,[2] with an average circumference of 30 to 46 centimetres (12 to 18 in) and weight of 900 grams (2 lb 0 oz). Sekai ichi means "world's number one" in Japanese.[1]
Description
Sekai Ichi apples are pale pink/red with red stripes; they are juicy, sweet, and not as crisp or crunchy as other cultivars. They are low in acid and mild in taste.[1] The variety came from a cross between the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious varieties.[3]
Cultivation and consumption
The Sekai Ichi is not just a premium apple variety but is one of the most expensive in the world due to the complex techniques and stringent requirements for cultivation.[2] It is mostly grown in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan, and is exported to Asian countries, notably China and Singapore. It is also grown at a small number of farms in the United States, though not under the same strict conditions.[1]
In Asia, it is used as a lavish gift on special occasions, such as major business transactions. At certain five-star hotels in Shanghai and Hong Kong, it is available as a luxurious fruit.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Sekai Ichi Apples". Specialty Produce. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ a b Miller, Alicia (January 6, 2026). "Why this Japanese prefecture is obsessed with apples". National Geographic. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Apple Journal "A Passion for apples"". Retrieved 2009-04-28.