Fairly new to the United States, there are over 1000 varieties of Asian pears, also known as "Apple Pears", originally from Japan.
The Fruit is yellow-green to pale yellow and smooth with small lenticels. This large white-fleshed pear is sweet, firm, crisp and juicy. There is confusion with the name "Apple Pear," as it may lead people to believe that the Asian pear is a cross between apples and pears. The resemblance of these pears and apples, however, stops there.
There are also several differences between Asian pears and the more common European pear. Asian pears reach optimum quality when allowed to ripen on the tree, similar to apples and peaches and are more crisp and tart then other pears. European pears are usually harvested in a green stage and allowed to ripen at room temperature and have a sweeter, more mellow taste. Fruit ripens in late August, early September.
