Square watermelons are the product of some meticulous growing techniques. The fruit mimics regular watermelons, but they’re grown in cubes to give them their unique shape. Cube watermelons were intended to fit more compactly in japanese fridges and be easier to stack and ship.

Although cube melons were originally created with practicality in mind, the cost now is prohibitive. The cube shape of the watermelon can only be achieved at the expense of its contents. To retain the proper shape, cube melons must be harvested before they are ripe, rendering them inedible.

Since the advent of the cube watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.