TOKYO (AP) — A jumbo black watermelon auctioned in Japan on Friday fetched a record $6,100, making it one of the most expensive watermelons ever sold in the country.

In a society where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty price tag followed another jaw-dropping auction last month, when a pair of "Yubari" cantaloupe melons sold for a record $23,500.

The 17-pound, black-skinned "Densuke" watermelon, a variety grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido, was purchased Friday by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture, according to Kyodo News agency.

The price was the highest on record for a Densuke watermelon, said Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido. Most retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest $188 to $283, Ohira said.

And what makes a watermelon worth $200, much less $6,000?

Ohira says it's the unusual black skin and unparalleled taste. "It's a watermelon, but it's not the same," he said.

Whatever!!



Brangelina Shows J.Lo Who's Baby-Ballin'
Posted Jun 9th 2008 6:17AM by TMZ Staff

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony may have spent a whopping $50K on their twins' nursery, but that's seriously Lo-budg compared to what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are spending for their babes.

Rush & Molloy say that Brangie racked up a $140,000 bill putting together their nursery at Petit Tresor. They got everything from organza bassinets to "Versailles-style" cribs (guillotine not included?) to a $4,500 armoire, and two matching pink crystal chandeliers for $899 each.

And then there were all of those cashmere baby toys – the ones that are so easy to get the slobber out of.

Good thing they give 25% of their income to charity, or people would be all over them with this excess. They may be anyway.