Asian Pear, White Selection Information | Nutritional Information | Tips & Trivia

Asian pears may have a lot in common with apples but they are related to pears. The fruit known as the Asian pear can refer to either brown or white varieties - and the sub-varieties from there are numerous.

Scientific Binomial Name: Pyrus pyrifolia or Pyrus x bretschneideri

SELECTION INFORMATION

Usage

Nearly always eaten fresh instead of cooked, but trendy chefs are changing that pattern.

Selection

A good-quality Asian Pear is selected by smell rather than variations in firmness. Unlike other pears that yield to gentle pressure when ripe, Asian pears are ripe even when they are extremely firm.

Look for a fairly strong and sweet aroma (they will not smell as strong if they are cold).

Those originating from Japan tend to have clear yellow, brown or yellow-brown skin while those from China tend toward clear-skinned and green-yellow varieties.

Avoid

Avoid Asian pears that are soft, wrinkled, have numerous scuff marks or are obviously bruised.

Storage

Handle with care, especially when fully ripe. Ripen in a cool, dark place. Pear may be refrigerated for a long time.

Ripening

Asian pears won't ripen further after being picked. Some apples will convert their starches into sugar after being picked, but this is known as "curing", and is best achieved by leaving fruit in the refrigerator - never sitting at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

Asian Pears are low-fat, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free. They're also a great source of fiber and vitamin C.

Tips & Trivia

Asian pears are native to China, Japan, and Korea. Common names include: : Chinese white pear, Ya pear Asian pear, apple pear, Korean pear, Japanese pear, Taiwan pear, nashi or nashi pear, sand pear, bae, or li . In South Asia, Asian pears are known as nashipati or nashpati.

Asian pears are the oldest known cultivated pear.

Asian pear trees are symbols of spring in East Asia, and is a common sight in gardens and the countryside.

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