North Star Orchard • Asian Pears Article

Press Page: Asian Pears Article

October 20th, 2004

University City Review
Written by Julie Knopf, Food Editor

At this time of year, I like thinking about the beautiful autumn treats that are at last available: apple cider, waxy candy corn and pumpkins everything. I’ve even had pumpkin beer, which really has no pumpkin in it. The distinct flavor comes from the spices, or at least, that’s what the Brew master of Independence Brew Pub tells me. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

You say you want a taste of fall right now? You say you can’t wait for the candy of Halloween or the pies of Thanksgiving? How about a nice sweet, refreshing fall fruit? Asian pears are in full bloom, ready for you to bite into their crisp flesh and swallow their sweet juices. A gentle foray into the slightly cooler weather of September, Asian pears are light and refreshing like a summer ade, but their harvest times are distinctly fall. To learn more about this special fruit, I met up with Lisa Kerschner of North Star Orchard at the Clark Park Farmers Market. North Star is based in Coatesville and is known for their eight Asian pear varieties as well as apples, cherries, berries and other small fruits and jarred products. She offered up great pear info plus some tasty recipes.

The Asian pear (or “Nashi” in Japanese) is a true pear variety and not a cross between a pear and an apple, as many people think. In fact, it is assumed that the Asian pear originated nearly 3,000 years ago in China. As the pears spread to Europe, those varieties took on a “typical” Bartlett pear shape. The pears that spread eastward resembled apples in their round-like appearance and crisp texture. These are the varieties that are known today as Asian pears.

Right now, the Hosui variety is still available for tasty consumption. The Hosui pear has a slightly rough but very edible brown skin. Its texture is very crisp, similar to that of jicama. It has a delicate pear flavor with slight hints of vanilla and a lovely perfumed aroma. Unlike the mealy Bartlett, the Hosui is so crisp and juicy; it is perfect as a more refined fall fruit. I had mine in a salad with radicchio and blue cheese, but actually preferred it alone so I could enjoy the subtle and complex flavors. While shopping, I also picked up a jar of their Peach Butter. This sweet, somewhat thick spread was perfect on toast, or as an accompaniment to sharp cheeses. However, it’s their Asian Pear Butter that they rave about. I’ll try that on my next trip.

Asian pears are selected as they ripen, so multiple harvestings occur. To yield the best quality pears, some are “thinned” or removed and discarded so that the better pears can grow to a good size, to ensure annual cropping and to avoid limb breakage. Because Asian pears do not get any sweeter after they are picked, harvesting them at precisely the right time is key. Once bought, they should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a plastic bag to keep in humidity. They also do not oxidize when cut, so there is no need to introduce an acid like lemon juice to the delicate crispy pear. Lisa also informed me that some pears grow to be the size of melons! If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these babies, just cut it in half, wrap in plastic, and store in the fruit section of your refrigerator until ready to eat.

WANT TO BE AN ASIAN PEAR CONNOISSEUR?
CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING LIST OF VARIETIES:

Shinseiki is a round, firm, yellow-skinned fruit that can be stored up to three months in common storage.

*Hosui is a very large, juicy, sweet, low-acid, bronze, russet-skinned fruit that ripens in August. The fruit does not store for longer than two to three months and may become soft in storage sooner than other cultivars.

20th Century, also known as Nijisseiki in Japan, originated in Japan about 100 years ago and is responsible for the popularity of Asian pears in that country. The fruits are round and yellow skinned, but bruise easily. They can be stored up to six months in common storage. Optimum flavor develops when fruit is slightly overripe, imparting a distinctive flavor.

*Yoinashi is a brown-skinned fruit with good flavor. It ripens along with 20th Century. The Pacific Northwest Testing Association suggests that this may be a replacement for 20th Century.

Shinko is a large, round to slightly flattened fruit with a bronze russet skin. Fruit will only store approximately two months.

*Olympic is variously known as A-Ri-Rang, Olympic Giant, or Korean Giant and is a new cultivar developed in Korea. Fruits are large, late, and round and have an attractive golden russeted skin. Olympic has the longest storage life of the Asian pears.

*Found at North Star Orchard

(Adapted from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences:
Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Production Guide)