Taking North America by storm.

Asian pears (also known as “Sand Pears”, “Nashi”, “Apple Pears”) have been described as the “HOTTEST NEW ITEM SINCE THE KIWI”, and it’s no wonder!… the crispy, crunchy, juicy, sweet fruit is taking North America by storm.

The Asian pear is a relatively new fruit to most people, although they have been grown here since the Gold Rush days, when the Chinese miners planted them in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

For the most part, Asian pear varieties are round in shape, with white flesh, giving them an appearance and texture similar to an apple. They have a refreshing “pear flavor”.

There is no need for store-level ripening…Asian pears ripen on the tree, and are ready to eat when harvested.

The long storage life of the Asian pear is one of its strong marketing points…they will “store” for 10 to 14 days at room temperature; three to four months in the crisper of a refrigerator; and, up to three months in a commercial fruit cold storage facility.

Just as with other fruits, there are many different varieties of Asian pears. They range in color from yellow to green, to various shades of gold brown.
To serve the Asian pear in the traditional Asian way, peel it and slice it crosswise through the center. This method of slicing reveals a star-shaped center, and is an attractive presentation when served with other fresh fruits, meats, or cheese. The crispy Asian pear is a perfect ingredient in fruit salads, fruit breads, and stir-fry dishes.

In the past, the primary consumer of Asian pears has been the Asian community; but 95% of the population who sample this unique fruit for the first time love it!