When Are Asian Pears Ripe?
- Asian pears are cousins to the typical pears, such as Bartlett and D'Anjou, that you find in the grocery store. While their round shape looks more like an apple than the typical bulb shape of a pear, they are pears. Asian pears come in several varieties. Japanese pears are rounder in shape, while Chinese pears are more oval or traditional pear-shaped. The most popular variety in the United States is the 20th Century or Nijisseki. It is easy to identify by its round shape and smooth yellow skin. Other common varieties include the Japanese bronze-toned Hosui pear and the pale-green, pear-shaped Ya Li, which is a Chinese variety. The Asian pear may also be called Chinese pear, Japanese pear, sand pear, Nashi pear, Korean pear, Taiwan pear, apple pear, bapple, papple and bae li.
- Asian pears are harvested after they fully ripen on the tree. U.S. and Japanese-grown Asian pears are available from July through late October. The popular 20th Century and the Kosui and Kikusui varieties are available in mid-August. If your supermarket carries the Hosui, look for it in the produce section in September. The large, 16- to 32-oz. Korean pear ripens in late October and early November.
- Ripe Asian pears are firm to the touch. They do not soften after harvest. In fact, a soft Asian pear is overripe. Select the most fragrant and unbruised fruit with few to no blemishes. The most common varieties turn yellow when ripe. The best indicator of ripeness is the taste. When ripe, Asian pears are sweet, juicy and full-flavored. The skin of Asian pears is delicate, which is why you will sometimes see the fruit individually packed in foam coverings to protect the fragile skin.
- If you find a nice batch of Asian pears at your grocery store, go ahead and stock up. Since they do not continue to ripen after harvest, Asian pears keep well. Store Asian pears a week at room temperature or up to three months in the refrigerator.
Asian Pear Varieties
Peak Harvest Times and Availability
Selecting a Ripe Asian Pear
Storage
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