Peared Down

Identifying an entire category of fruits by one continent of origin is not only reductive, but quite confusing. Asian pears are diverse, hailing from China, Japan, Korea, and beyond, in as many different varietals as our beloved American apples. Round, clad in matte tawny brown or chartreuse skin, they arrive in markets carefully swaddled in foam nets, more delicate than hard European pears that are picked prior to ripening. When a fruit is handled with more care than your average carton of eggs, you know it has to be something special.

What Does An Asian Pear Taste Like?

As with every broad culinary classification, there’s no one “Asian Pear,” but myriad types with their own unique tastes. In general, Asian pears are remarkably crisp, with a texture more akin to the short bite of fresh jicama than the creamy, soft flesh of a European pear. This is their main distinguishing characteristic, which can come as a surprise to those unprepared. Sweet, jammy, floral, tart, citrus-y, woodsy, and buttery, sometimes interchangeably and sometimes all at once; expect apple-adjacent flavors which can differ based on the harvest of any given season.

Pear-fect Serving Suggestions

The best thing you can ever do with peak fresh produce is just eat it raw. The resoundingly crunchy bite is incredibly satisfying, sinking your teeth straight into that papery skin that easily gives way. That same crisp texture means they’re excellent candidates for slicing very thinly, maintaining their shape and resisting oxidation longer than other cut comparable fruits on charcuterie boards, in salads, on bruschetta, and more.

Their structural integrity makes them excellent candidates for baking and cooking, too. Poached Asian pears will never fall apart or get mealy, just like a baked and stuffed approach, too. Korean marinades often blend Asian pears into the mix for a balanced sweetness and added tenderization. They can be stir-fried, stewed, dried, and even pickled.

Fall-in For Asian Pears

Domestication and global markets have brought Asian pear trees to every viable growing climate. That means they’re available all year round, but domestic production culminates in the fall. Thankfully, varieties including LilySan, AnaSan, EliSan, New Pear, and JunoSan can last up to three months when properly stored and refrigerated. Now is the time to stock up at your local Asian market, farmers market, or online stores.

Redefine what “pear-shaped” means and expand your understanding of this wide-ranging cultivar. You’ll never look at the average fruit basket the same way again.