Cookbook:Asian Pear

Cookbook | Recipes | Ingredients | Fruit

Asian pear

Asian pears are a variety of pear that typically have a rounded shape, similar to an apple. It may also be called Chinese pear, Japanese pear, sand pear, nashi pear, or apple pear.

Characteristics

Asian pears are usually round, firm to touch when ripe, and ready to eat after harvest. They reach prime quality when they ripen on the tree, like apples and peaches do. They are crisp, juicy, and slightly sweet with some tartness, especially near the core.

Varieties

There are several Asian pear varieties available. Japanese pears are more round in shape, while Chinese pears are more oval or pyriform.

In the United States, the Japanese type of Asian pear called 20th Century or Nijisseki is the most popular. It is easily identified by its round shape and smooth yellow skin. Other common varieties include the Japanese bronze-toned Hosui pear and the pear-shaped Ya Li, a pale-green Chinese variety.

Selection

Select the most fragrant and unbruised fruit with few to no brown spots. Ripe Asian pears are hard and do not soften. They are ready to eat when purchased.

Storage

Asian pears are known for keeping well. Store pears for up to a week at room temperature or up to three months in the refrigerator.

Seasonality

Flowers appear early in spring

Seasonality tables|Autumn|Winter|Spring|Summer|All year
Asian Pears	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Northern hemisphere
Southern hemisphere

The harvest season in the northern hemisphere usually begins in mid July, in southern regions, and lasts until mid September, when Asian pears are harvested in regions further north. [1]

External Links

• "Asian Pear Culture in Alabama" aces.edu