Asian Pears will be a regular component of your boxes this Fall so we thought we’d give you some information on the Asian Pears history and origin. Often called “apple pears” because of their crisp texture and apple flavor characteristics, Asian pears are in no way related to apples. Today’s Asian pears are a cross between two varieties of pears (or hybrids of these varieties) the Pyrus ussuriensis (Ussuri pear) and the Pyrus pyrifo- lia ( Japanese sand pear).
Asian pears have been cultivated in Japan for over 3,000 years and differ genetically from European pears. The first Asian pear to make its way to the United States was a Chinese sand pear, which arrived in Flushing, New York in 1820. Asian Pears made their way west with Chinese and Japanese immigrants in the 1850’s.
Today California and Oregon are the largest producers of Asian pears in the United States and there are hundreds of varieties grown. There are two distinct categories of Asian pear, those of Chinese and of Japa- nese origin. Chinese Asian pears have a similar shape to the European pear while the Japanese Asian pears have a shape akin to an apple. The Japanese Asian pears are the most widely grown in the United States and all of the Asian pears we grow are of Japanese origin.
At Frog Hollow we have 2 acres of Asian pears or 400 trees and grow three different varieties. Farmer Al planted them in 1985 when they weren’t widely available commercially. He loves them for their crisp, sweet, and watery characteristics and for their versatility. You’ll find the Asian pears are wonderful for eating out of hand but also in salads or even sliced thinly on sandwiches.
