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Asian Pears

Asian pears, also called Apple Pears, Oriental, Korean, Chinese, Sand, and Nashi pears, depending upon where they are grown in the country, are unique and different from our traditional European pears. Although a large commercial market for this fruit has never developed in the United States, Asian pears are very popular in Japan, China, and Korea. In Pennsylvania the market tends to be located in larger cities where ethnic populations are in greater numbers. Asian pears can be just as susceptible to fire blight as traditional pears. Our traditional pears can serve as pollinizers for Asian pears, but the two groups rarely have an overlap in bloom to provide sufficient pollination opportunities.

There are three types of Asian pears: (1) round or flat fruit with yellow to green skin, (2) round or flat fruit having bronze-colored skin with russeting, and (3) pear-shaped fruit with either smooth or russeted skin. While many cultivars are available, only five are worth commercial plantings.

Recommended cultivars (listed in order of ripening)
Shinseiki is a round, firm, yellow-skinned fruit that can be stored up to three months in common storage. This cultivar under California conditions is self-fruitful and does not require cross-pollination. Fruit hangs well on the tree and requires multiple harvests. Shinseiki is one of the top cultivars in California.

Hosui is a very large, juicy, sweet, low-acid, bronze, russet-skinned fruit that ripens in August. Trees are extremely vigorous and develop an open and spreading tree; they are very susceptible to fire blight. The fruit does not store 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. Trees must be thinned aggressively to ensure adequate fruit size. Optimum flavor develops when fruit is slightly overripe, imparting a distinctive flavor.

Shinko is a large, round to slightly flattened fruit with a bronze russet skin.Trees are well shaped and very productive with no tendency toward biennial bearing. Shinko is reported to be nearly resistant to fire blight. 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. Reportedly this pear’s bloom period overlaps with Bartlett, and the two make compatible pollinizers. Olympic has the longest storage life of the Asian pears.

Other cultivars
Ichiban Nashi and Shinsui are an early-maturing brown fruit. Their major asset is that they are early enough to fit into a niche market.

Kikusui is a flat yellow green, medium-sized fruit. It has an excellent flavor, but the skin is too tender to withstand shipping. The fruit is suitable for roadside markets if handled carefully. Preharvest drop can be a problem in some years. This cultivar is very susceptible to fire blight.

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.

Chojuro is an old cultivar whose fruit is brown to orange and flat. The trees are very productive. This pear is not nearly as juicy as other cultivars and hence is losing favor. Fruit should be harvested when the first yellow-brown color appears and can be kept in storage for five months.

Niitaka is a large, firm, brown russet fruit. Its major attraction is its large size. Trees are very productive. The pollen is not viable, so this cultivar cannot be used as a pollinizer for other cultivars.

Ya Li is one of the most important pears grown in China. Fruits are green with a pear shape and large. The flavor is sweet but mild. Fruit ripens over an extended period, therefore requiring multiple harvests. Storage life is up until February.

Tse Li is a large, football-shaped green fruit. Its quality is best after a period of storage. In California it is reported that only Ya Li can pollinate this cultivar.
Okusankichi is originally from Korea. The fruit is medium sized with a brown russet finish. Fruit quality improves with storage, and it is reported that fruit can be stored up to 10 months.

 (Adapted in part from Asian Pear Summary by Pacific Northwest Fruit Testers Association)