It's at almost every Singapore supermarket now, from SGD4.90 to SGD14.90, What happened to the Queen of Grapes, did it fall from grace?
Known as "Queen of Muscat" or the Hermés of Grapes, Shine Muscat is a special variety developed by the Japanese in the 1980s, made available to the mass market in early 2000s.
What's so special about the Shine Muscat?
The seedless berries are very tightly clustered, giving a luxe look. Thin skinned with no astringency (means no siap siap taste), it is juicy with a very pleasant sweetness that does not overwhelm like the grapes from U.S.A, topped off with a slight rose fragrance, elegant in it's own way, yet, so refreshing. Somehow, one pop of the berry brings a feel of joy, perhaps, that is how the name came about.
Shine muscat has pretty much made their way into the hearts of many with their distinctive taste profile, with that, many tried to obtain the seedlings.
"But it is almost everywhere now, so cheap some more..."
Here's a little insight in the Shine Muscat industry, currently, there are three countries producing Shine Muscat (aka, the hermés of grapes); Japan, S. Korea and China.
Bear in mind, Japan is the originator and has been producing Shine Muscat since the 2000s (commercially), introducing a gorgeous variety of grapes that's seedless and tasty to many, which led to the attention of many.
One of them, China.
Shine Muscat variety entered the China Market in 2008, with the production mainly in Yunnan and Sze Chuan (total farm area ~100,000 acres), they took 8 years to grow the seedlings and learn the growing techniques to achieve a similar harvest quality similar to Japan, made commercially available in 2016, priced at SGD100.00 / 500gm (then wholesale).
When the first batch of grapes were introduced to the market, it was a windfall for the pioneer producers. Happy times indeed! Which... did not last for long.
When there's much riches to be earned, the rest just followed.
It's only human, having seen the success and quick bucks made by the pioneer producers, many farmers from other parts of China , replaced their crops with the Shine Muscat seedlings, with gradual increase in supply, prices starting dipping, eventually, the market for Shine Muscat in China crashed in 2022, with the price at SGD2.00 / 500gm (Wholesale) with a total farm area for the grapes at around ~300,000 acres.
To put it in perspective, usually it is around 1,000 vines per acre. Yes, that's A LOT of grapes.
Crazy right?
Today, anyone in Singapore can obtain a 500gm punnet of Shine Muscat at $4.95, if it comes in a gift box, prolly $14.90, that's after shipping and freight costs.
Hang on, too much supply don't really cause the crash to be so hard, right?
Well, the quality plays a part in the crash too.
The pioneer producers for Shine Muscat Grapes in China are still maintaining their high standards of quality benchmarked against Japan's, selling the variety at a reasonable price that is sustainable for the business.
It's the latter Shine Muscat farmers, who started to dump their produce, often, harvesting it before the golden time, which explains the darker green shade and rather loose berries. Some, added "specials" to the grapes to hasten the ripening process, with inconsistency in procedures and systems, quality usually veer far from expectation, and that's how we get it at such a shocking price in Singapore.
This phenomenon has turned into a case study for many in the world of agriculture, it's just too crazy.
And ah, the one we are getting are grown without chemical fertilisers nor herbicides ...
Shine Muscat grapes from Japan are usually of a higher price for a reason, other than, it originated from Japan, each grape vine has a designated care-taker. Like a nanny to a baby.
Especially so, for Maruyama Fruits Farm, where our shine muscat is from, with no use of chemical fertilizers nor herbicides. Each bunch are carefully shielded with a "hat" to prevent any potential injuries from the weather or pests and of course, the "nanny" looks after them with lots of care and love.
Monitoring their growth, when it is the golden time to harvest, they spring into action.
Yes, it is a bunch of grapes produced from much love, care and effort.
Which makes it a perfect gift for family and friends to convey one's love and warm familial ties. For some, they choose to gift their VVIP clients too. =) Or, like us, we just like to reward ourselves with some luxe grapes as a pat on the back!
Wait. Why Yamanashi?
Yamanashi is blessed with the ideal weather for growing grapes, with a rich soil and geographical location, the best grapes and peaches from Japan are from Yamanashi Prefecture, yes, we are quite particular. ;)
So, did it fall from grace?
Not in our view, as long as the producers (regardless of the country) continue with their good effort to uphold the Queen's quality and food safety procedures, the reign shall continue. What do you think?
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CONGRATULATIONS! For making to the end of the article, as a reward, here's a special price for the Shine Muscat Grapes direct from the farm, we are extending a special price to our customers ONLY. If you have met us at any events, it is extended to you too, just let us know which event. ;)
This is the only Shine Muscat shipment we will be doing for sale to our customers, the next round of shipment from Japan will be in Late September 2023 for "My Heart" grapes, cuz the farm needs to meet the golden time of harvest, remember?
Grab the chance to get a box or two for the upcoming Mid - Autumn Festival gathering and share the love with your friends and family. Pre- order with prices here
Side note: The internet has been describing the Shine Muscat as crunchy or crispy, do note one's idea of crunchy / crispy may differ from persons to persons, ya? Also, Shine Muscat is not like Sugar Crunch or any crunchy green grapes of U.S.A. It is a different type of taste experience that is gentle, elegant, yet refreshing and enjoyable for the young and old.