Close your eyes and imagine a strawberry so perfect — it looks sculpted by an artist, glows with a ruby-red hue, weighs more than 100 grams, and costs more than a dinner at a five-star restaurant. This isn’t a fantasy. It’s the “Bijin-hime”, also known as the world’s most expensive strawberry — a symbol of perfection, luxury, and craftsmanship from Japan.
At a time when strawberries are enjoyed as everyday fruits, this one stands apart as a masterpiece of nature and human precision — where farming meets art, patience meets passion, and taste meets prestige.
Whether you’re a fruit lover, collector, or someone curious about what makes one strawberry worth thousands of rupees, this guide dives deep into the story, science, and sensation behind the world’s most luxurious berry.
🌍 From Japan’s Luxury Farms – The Birthplace of the “Bijin-hime”
The world’s most expensive strawberry, Bijin-hime, comes from Gifu Prefecture, Japan — a region celebrated for producing rare, premium fruits like Yubari King melons and Ruby Roman grapes.
“Bijin-hime” translates to “Beautiful Princess.” True to its name, every strawberry is grown under the strictest conditions:
- 🌱 Cultivated in controlled greenhouses with perfect humidity, light, and temperature.
- 🧤 Handled manually by expert farmers to prevent even the slightest bruise.
- 🍓 Only a few strawberries qualify as ‘perfect’ each year, with flawless symmetry, deep red color, and extraordinary sweetness.
Each fruit is tested for:
- Shape and symmetry
- Color uniformity
- Sugar content (measured in °Brix)
- Aroma intensity
Only the top 1% of strawberries make it to the Bijin-hime elite grade, priced at ¥50,000 ($400–$450 USD) per piece — or ₹35,000–₹40,000 in India.
💎 Why Is It So Expensive?
You might wonder: What makes one strawberry worth more than gold per gram?
Here’s why the Bijin-hime earns its title as the most expensive strawberry in the world:
1. Perfection in Every Detail
Each strawberry is hand-grown and monitored daily. Farmers inspect the color, size, and sugar levels using precision sensors.
2. Limited Production
Only 500–700 premium-grade strawberries are produced annually, making it one of the rarest agricultural products in the world.
3. Exceptional Sweetness
The sugar level of Bijin-hime reaches 15–17° Brix, compared to 8–10° in normal strawberries. It’s pure, natural sweetness — no additives, no shortcuts.
4. Artisanal Farming
These strawberries are grown by hand, not machines. Farmers polish them, rotate them toward sunlight, and even control ambient music to reduce stress on the plants.
5. Presentation and Packaging
Each strawberry is individually packaged in a white gift box lined with silk — resembling a jewelry presentation case.
It’s not just fruit — it’s a luxury experience.
🧬 Nutritional and Health Benefits
Despite its royal status, the Bijin-hime — like all strawberries — is a superfood packed with essential nutrients.
🍓 Nutrition Facts (Per 100g of Strawberries)
| Nutrient | Amount | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 32 kcal | Light and healthy |
| Vitamin C | 59 mg | Strengthens immunity |
| Fiber | 2 g | Aids digestion |
| Manganese | 0.4 mg | Supports metabolism |
| Folate (B9) | 25 mcg | Promotes cell repair |
| Antioxidants | High | Protects against aging and inflammation |
🌸 Key Health Benefits
- 💪 Boosts Immunity: Vitamin C-rich strawberries help build resistance against infections.
- ❤️ Improves Heart Health: Reduces LDL cholesterol and improves blood flow.
- 🌿 Supports Skin Glow: Antioxidants and Vitamin C promote collagen production.
- ⚖️ Aids Weight Management: Low-calorie and high-fiber fruit for a healthy diet.
- 🧠 Enhances Brain Function: Flavonoids improve memory and prevent cognitive decline.
Even the most expensive strawberry maintains the same nutritional excellence nature intended.
👅 Taste, Texture, and Aroma — A Flavor Beyond Imagination
The taste of Bijin-hime is a sensory marvel — sweet, rich, and unlike any other strawberry you’ve tasted.
- Taste: Deep, honey-like sweetness with a floral note.
- Texture: Soft yet firm, with a silky bite that melts instantly.
- Aroma: Intensely fragrant, filling the room with a natural strawberry perfume.
- Appearance: Oversized, flawless heart shape — glowing like a ruby under light.
Food critics describe it as “dessert in a single bite” — so luxurious that no cream or sugar is needed.
🌱 Harvest and Freshness Promise
Each Bijin-hime strawberry is:
- Hand-harvested at dawn to preserve its moisture and color.
- Weighed and photographed individually for quality certification.
- Shipped in temperature-controlled boxes to ensure freshness across continents.
Unlike commercial varieties, these strawberries are never refrigerated long-term, preserving their authentic farm-to-mouth freshness.
At TIRTHAS™, we share the same philosophy — ensuring every strawberry, no matter its price, represents honest farming, purity, and taste.
🧊 Storage and Usage Tips
While most of us won’t store a ¥50,000 strawberry, if you do get the chance to enjoy premium-grade strawberries, treat them with care:
- Store between 2°C–5°C in a single layer.
- Do not wash until ready to eat.
- Use soft tissue paper at the base of storage boxes.
- For best flavor, let the fruit reach room temperature before serving.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Enjoy fresh and plain — the flavor speaks for itself.
- Serve with whipped cream or mascarpone for a luxurious dessert.
- Pair with champagne or white wine for a fine dining experience.
🌎 Sustainability and Ethical Farming
The creation of luxury strawberries like Bijin-hime has inspired farms worldwide — including India — to explore premium, sustainable farming practices.
At TIRTHAS™, we draw inspiration from Japan’s precision farming to create our own farm-to-home fruit journey, using:
- 🌾 Organic manure and natural fertilizers.
- 💧 Water-efficient drip irrigation.
- ☀️ Solar drying and renewable power.
- 🚫 Zero chemical ripening policy.
Luxury can be sustainable — and when you buy consciously grown fruit, you support farmers and the planet together.
💡 Fun Facts and Quick FAQs
Q1: What is the most expensive strawberry in the world?
The Bijin-hime from Japan holds the record as the most expensive strawberry, costing up to $400 (₹35,000–₹40,000) per piece.
Q2: Why is it called “Bijin-hime”?
It means Beautiful Princess in Japanese, reflecting its perfect shape, color, and elegance.
Q3: How big is it?
A single strawberry can weigh up to 100 grams — nearly the size of a small apple!
Q4: Can you buy it online?
Yes, it’s occasionally available through Japanese luxury fruit retailers — though often by pre-order only and within Japan.
🍓 Comparison — Bijin-hime vs. Regular Strawberries
| Feature | Bijin-hime (Japan) | Regular Strawberry |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹35,000+ per piece | ₹300–₹500 per kg |
| Weight | 100g+ | 15–25g |
| Sugar (°Brix) | 15–17 | 8–10 |
| Aroma | Very strong | Mild |
| Appearance | Perfect symmetry | Naturally varied |
| Availability | Extremely rare | Widely available |
🌸 The Luxury of Simplicity
The world’s most expensive strawberry teaches us something deeper — perfection takes patience, and real luxury lies in attention to detail and respect for nature.
While few may ever taste a Bijin-hime, its existence reminds us that even the simplest fruit, when grown with care, can become extraordinary.
At TIRTHAS™ Farm Store, we may not sell $400 strawberries — but every fruit we grow carries that same spirit of craftsmanship, freshness, and trust.
Because for us, true luxury is not about price — it’s about purity, taste, and the farmer’s love behind every harvest.