Asian Pear (Pyrus Pyrifolia) Varieties

There are numerous types and varieties of Asian pears on the market today. For some history, Asian pears are considered the mother variety from which all other pears derive. Like the first Occidental pear, the earliest Asian pears were also likely small, hard, and somewhat bitter. Another random fact? Asian pears likely arrived to the US around 1820, when they first appeared in New York. They appeared on the west coast shortly after during the wave of Asian immigration arriving for the gold rush.

Today, the most popular Asian pear varieties are as follows:

Shinko: A popular Asian pear variety known for its large
size and prize-winning juicy sweet taste.

Chojuro: Russeted brown skin and has a flavor
likened to butterscotch with hints of rum.

Kosui: its crisp, sweet flesh has notes of honey
and vanilla. Kosuis come into season from mid-July
to August; earlier than most varieties.

 

Hosui: some claim this is one of the best-tasting
Asian pears: it has an essence of brandy and
possesses a richer, spicier flavor than the other types.

20th century: A smaller variety with a tart, zesty,
sharp, citrusy essence. This pear hits the market near
the end of August into October.

 

Yali: Exceptionally crunchy and dense with hints of
lemon, anise, and butterscotch. This Chinese variety is
known as the "singing bird pear." It is in season from
August to September.

 

Tsu Li: Shares its appearance with European pears, but has a
firm flesh similar to Asian types. Has a sweet, pineapple-like
flavor and comes into the market in September.

 

Shinseiki: Yellow appearance with a distinct spicy, sweet,
juicy profile. It is a mid-season pear arriving between the
end of August through September.