Asian
Available as:
Stemilt & Artisan Organics
Facts of Interest: Asian pears comprise a large group of pear varieties having crisp, juicy fruit that is often described as tasting melon-like or floral. They are best for fresh eating and good in salads.
Asian pears have been grown commercially in Japan, Korea, China and other Asian countries for centuries. They were introduced into the U.S. in the 1800's, although their popularity has only grown in recent years.
Unlike European varieties of pears such as Bartlett or Comice, Asian pears are ready to eat when harvested and hold their quality for several months with proper refrigeration. Their crisp texture remains unchanged after picking or storage. By comparison, European pear varieties do not ripen on the tree but require time after harvest to reach maturity.
There are three main types of Asian pears: round or flat with green to yellow skin; round or flat with russet-looking, bronze-colored skin; and pear-shaped with green or russet skin. The most common varieties of Asian pear are Hosui, 20th Century, Shinko and Kosui.
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:
Very juicy with complex melon-like flavors
Shape:
Round to slightly flat
Size:
Medium to large
Uses:
Salads, snacks; A unique texture makes these fruits a real treat
Artisan Organics is Stemilt’s banner for organic tree fruits. This label adorns all packaging and price look-up (PLU) stickers on Stemilt’s organic apples, pears, cherries and stone fruits.
Stemilt began major investments in organic tree fruit production back in 1989. At the time, farming organically on a large-scale was unheard of, since there were so few organic applications available. Despite the challenges, Stemilt founder Tom Mathison knew there was potential for organics in the marketplace and continued preparing Stemilt for future growth.
Because of Tom’s foresight, Stemilt gradually increased its organic presence, and today, is one of the nation’s leading shippers of organic tree fruits. Try Artisan Organics for a unique flavor experience that only natural farming methods can deliver!
Check out our Organic Leader page to learn more about what makes Stemilt a standout in the organic field!
Check out our Organic Leader page to learn more about what makes Stemilt a standout in the organic field!
Stemilt grows pears in Washington’s Wenatchee River Valley, an area known worldwide for its fertile soil and cool climate. Here, snow-capped, Alpine mountains rise behind rolling hills blanketed with pear orchards. Cooler temperatures and high-quality air drainage combine to create the premium quality of Stemilt’s numerous delectable pear varieties.
Pears are unique, in that, they are harvested at full maturity, but still may not be perfectly ripe when you take them home from the store. Stemilt believes that consumers shouldn’t have to wait to enjoy their pears. Our conditioning program, called RipeRite™, gets the ripening process started so you have ready-to-eat pears every time you shop.