NEED TO KNOW
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Brigette Pheloung, known as “AcquiredStyle” on TikTok, went viral for taste-testing the Japanese Crown Melon that’s worth hundreds of dollars
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The content creator posted a video of herself biting into the expensive fruit, which oozed with juice
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She shared her thoughts on the Crown Melon in the video, which racked up mixed comments from viewers who watched in disbelief
Could a melon truly be worth an almost $300 price tag?
Brigette Pheloung, who’s known as “AcquiredStyle” online, went viral for taste-testing an expensive melon in a video uploaded to TikTok on Monday, July 14.
“$300 melon taste test,” the 28-year-old influencer wrote in text over the video, where she’s seen cutting into the honeydew-like fruit and biting into it before sharing her thoughts on its taste.
Pheloung begins the video by removing the plastic-wrapped melon from its “boujee box.” It appeared to have a red satin lining at its base, which she showed the camera before diving into the fruit.
While the New York City-based creator revealed that she got the melon from her “fave place” Butterfield Market, the juicy product — known as a Japanese Crown Melon — comes from Ikigai Fruits, a company that sells exquisite luxury fruits from Japan.
Acquired Style/Instagram
Brigette Pheloung, known as “Acquired Style” on social media
Per its website, the Japanese Crown Melon is “a premium variety of Japanese muskmelon known as the king of all fruits” and grown “only in the western region of Shizuoka Prefecture.” Further, it’s known for its “soothing aroma” and “mesmerizing shape.”
Pheloung claims the melons are “massaged daily” to “keep their perfect shape,” she says in the clip before cutting into the center of the fruit.
Once sliced, she splits the Crown Melon open to reveal its light green color and seeded inside. “It’s oozing with juice,” she says.
Then, the content creator cuts a cube and takes a bite. Her face says it all, as she appears to react with shock at the flavor.
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“Oh, my juicy,” she exclaims in the clip. “Holy flavorful,” she adds.
As Pheloung continues to cut and taste the fruit, she asks if she’d “go out of [her] way to spend $300 on a melon,” confirming that “no,” she would not. “But does it taste way more expensive than regular melon? Yes,” she adds.
The influencer also clarified that she did not purchase this melon herself, shouting out Butterfield for sending her the fruit.
To no surprise, viewers swarmed the TikTok video’s comment section with their thoughts.
“Oh to have 300 to spend on a melon 😳,” wrote one user. To which Pheloung replied, “I didn’t purchase this it was a gift 🙂 I too agree that is outrageous.”
Acquired Style/TikTok
Brigette Pheloung on TikTok
“The juice dripping is like $4 per drip 😭,” commented another viewer.
“Imagine putting ‘professional melon massager’ on your resume,” a third person wrote, while another added, “The way it’s just dripping dollar bills all over the cutting board!”
Elsewhere on the Ikigai Fruits’ website, the company details how to have “the best taste experience” while eating the Crown Melon.
“A Crown Melon is ready to eat when the bottom is slightly soft (try pushing with your finger to judge this),” the site reads. “Note that melons start ripening as soon as they are harvested. We recommend consuming the melon within 2-3 days of delivery.”
The website adds, “Until the day you consume the melon, store it at room temperature and refrigerate your melon 2-3 hours before consuming.”
Acquired Style/Instagram
Brigette Pheloung
As for the price breakdown, the Crown Melon’s cost ranges depending on how many are purchased. One singular melon starts at $138, two melons go for $268 and three melons cost $384 (taxes and shipping not included).
In addition to the Crown Melon, Ikigai Fruits is known for its strawberries, persimmons, pears and oranges — all of which come with hefty price tags. Just look at the “meticulously cultivated Japanese strawberries,” which start at $780 for an approximate 27 pieces per box!
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This isn’t the first time an influencer has turned heads for taste-testing Japanese fruits. Earlier this year, content creators went viral for trying the $19 “dystopian” strawberry from Los Angeles’ Erewhon.
“It’s from Kyoto in Japan and apparently it’s, like, the best-tasting strawberry in the entire world,” influencer Alyssa Antoci posted from the luxury grocer in the clip on Feb. 22, racking up 18.3M views on TikTok to date.
She demonstrated how to open up the plastic dome container and took a bite, instantly covering her mouth and rolling her eyes.
“Wow, that is the best strawberry,” Antoci, whose family owns Erewhon, said enthusiastically. “That’s crazy.”
Read the original article on People
