Nashi Pear

What Is Nashi Pear?

Nashi pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is an apple-like, round-shaped pear variety originating from East Asia; it's also known as "Asian pear" or "sand pear". Its peel is generally golden-brown, with a slightly speckled surface.

The biggest difference from the classic pear is its texture: it doesn't soften and turn mushy, but instead stays crisp and crunchy like an apple; its flesh is very juicy and sweet. That's why it's mostly eaten raw and used in salads.

Nutritional Values of Nashi Pear

100 grams of raw nashi pear contains approximately 42 kcal of energy, a good level of fiber (3.6 g), and some vitamin C along with potassium. It's a low-calorie, juicy, and fibrous fruit.

What Are the Benefits of Nashi Pear?

With its low calorie count and high water and fiber content, nashi pear can be considered a refreshing part of a balanced, light diet. Its fiber contributes to a feeling of fullness.

This information is general; nashi pear is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Nashi Pear?

Quality nashi is a fruit that's firm, has a smooth peel, is full (juicy) for its weight, and has a lightly sweet scent. Softened, bruised, or wrinkled samples have lost their freshness.

• Fruit should be firm, like an apple
• Should be full (juicy) for its weight
• Peel should be smooth, without bruises or blemishes

How to Store Nashi Pear?

Thanks to its firm texture, nashi pear keeps well; it stays fresh for a few weeks in the refrigerator. It can also wait a while at room temperature, but stays fresh longer in the cold.

Using Nashi Pear in the Kitchen

Nashi pear is most often used raw, sliced on a fruit plate and in salads; its crunchy texture adds crispness to green salads and cheese boards. Since it stays crunchy, it's less preferred than the classic pear in cooking.

How Does Nashi Go Into a Salad?

Thinly sliced or matchstick-cut nashi is added to green salads together with walnut and cheese; its crunchy texture and sweet-juicy taste give the salad freshness.

Difference Between Nashi and Classic Pear

Classic pear softens and becomes almost melting when ripe; nashi, however, stays crisp-crunchy even when ripe and is closer to an apple's texture.

Which Recipes Use Nashi Pear?

Green salad with nashi, fruit plate, nashi with cheese, and nashi pickle are its best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nashi pear an apple or a pear?

Botanically it's a pear; but its round shape resembling an apple and its crunchy texture remind most people of an apple.

Why is nashi pear so juicy?

It's a fruit variety with a high water content; this gives it a refreshing, very juicy, and crunchy structure.

Is nashi eaten with its peel?

Its thin peel is edible; it can be peeled if desired. Washed and sliced, it can be consumed with its crunchy texture intact.

Is nashi pear cooked?

It's generally eaten raw; when cooked, it releases a lot of juice and loses its crunchiness, so it's less preferred than the classic pear in desserts.

When is nashi found?

It's an autumn fruit; it's freshest and tastiest during harvest season, but since it keeps well, it can also be found out of season.