asian pears on limb

Asian Pears

 Asian Pears

Characteristics
Appearance:

Full russet varieties have a beautiful cinnamon color

Texture & Firmness:

Crisp and juicy with a slight grainy texture

Internal Character:

Bright white to pale yellow

Flavor:

Round and crisp like an apple, but actually a group of pear varieties! Asian pears are juicy, with subtle melon-like flavors and mild acidity near the core.

Shape:

Round to slightly flat

Size:

Medium to large

Uses:

Asian pears are great in salads or as a fresh snack; the unique texture makes these fruits a real treat

Asian pears comprise a large group of pear varieties that have a crisp texture and juicy, melon-like flavor. Unlike European pear varieties (such as Bartlett or Comice), Asian pears are ripe and ready to eat right after harvest. Asian pears also maintain their crisp texture and unique flavors for several months with proper refrigeration.

There are three main types of Asian pears: round or flat with green to yellow skin; round or flat with russet/bronze-colored skin; and pear-shaped with green for russet skin. The most common varieties of Asian pears are Hosui, 20th Century, Shinko and Kosui.

Asian Pear Bloom

The majority of Stemilt's Asian pears are farmed organically. Asian pears are harvested in early September from Washington state.