Since When Are Grapes Exotic?

Around two weeks ago a new type of premium grape made its' glorious debut in Japan.  Bunches of the grape were being purchased for as much as $910.  One hotel manager paid that amount for 1 1/2 pounds.  That comes out to roughly $26 a grape.  Can you possibly imagine paying $26 a grape.  Maybe for a banana or some type of fruit that really has more substance, but not for a grape, made almost entirely of water, no matter how delicious it is. 

(This lucky buyer was happy until he found out that they were......seeded. Dundundun.)(I made that up, they may or may not be seeded).

The average size of one of these delectable ruby red grapes is a little smaller than a ping pong ball.  They are tomato colored and have been under development since 1994 in a state led project.  Who takes that long to develop a grape, and what country gives government funding to create a grape?  

The only excuse for these grapes being so expensive is apparently fruit in general is expensive in Japan and is often given as a gift.  For such a crafty and wise people, the Japanese apparently don't know shit about fruit.  The grape would have to be like an orgasm in my mouth for me to pay $26 a grape.  But who knows, maybe it is.