Japanese Food Tips

Japanese pears (nashi) start appearing in stores around July, and are at their peak around August and September, and can be seen until around November. They differ from western pears in shape and taste, and are round and spherical, similar to apples. Japanese pears have a firm axis and that part cannot be eaten. They are an ancient Japanese fruit with the longest history of cultivation in Japan starting in the Yayoi Period, some 2000 years ago. They are grown all over Japan except in Okinawa Prefecture. There are many different varieties of Japanese pears, and each variety has a slightly different appearance and taste. Japanese pears are usually greenish before they ripen, and turn ochre, reddish brown, or yellowish when they ripen. They are usually eaten raw and have a sweet and sour texture with a sugar content of about 12-15 degrees. They are fresh and full of water and taste best when they are transferred to the refrigerator about an hour before eating. If you are ever in Japan during the summer or fall, you should try Japanese pears.