| 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 ofapples fromJapan. It was first planted inMorioka 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]
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 theRed Delicious andGolden Delicious varieties.[3]
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 theAomori 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 certainfive-star hotels in Shanghai and Hong Kong, it is available as a luxurious fruit.[1]
