Asian pears are a cousin to Europeans pears which have brownish to yellow skin with a juicy, white, and crispy center. Asian pears are firm and round. Asian pears are peeled and consumed raw. It is large in size and has a high price. It is also called apple, sand, Oriental, Japanese and Chinese pear. It is often believed to be the cross of pears and apples. Above 100 varieties of Asian pears are known in Japan.

Asian Pear is a member of the genus Pyrus L. in the family Rosaceae which includes pears and apples. Pyrus pyrifolia is also called Asian Pear, Chinese Pear, Apple Pear, Japanese Pear, Korean Pear, Nashi Pear, Nashi, Sand Pear, Oriental Pear, sandpäron, and Taiwanese pear. It is small to a medium-sized deciduous tree which has a pome fruit with pale dots and has brown or yellow, reddish-brown color. It has attractive white flowers. The tree of Asian pear grows in a temperate climate and prefers deep, well-drained soils. The branchlets are terete, purplish brown when young which turns to dark brown when mature. Some common varieties of Asian pear are Korean Giant, Ichiban, Nijisseiki, Shinseiki, Seuri, Yoinashi, and Shinsui.

History

Asian pears are native to Eastern Asia: China, Korea, and Japan. It is sophisticated in South and Central China, Korea, the Far East of Russia, Vietnam, Southern Japan, Thailand, and India. It is cultivated in minor ranges in Indonesia, Middle Asia, and the Philippines. Currently, it is cultivated in New Zealand, Australia, California, France, and Italy.

In East Asia, the flowers are considered as the symbol of early spring which is commonly found in the countryside and gardens. Asian pear was cultivated for over 2000 years in China. Above 3000 cultivars were cultivated there. In the 8th century, it was cultivated in Japan. It was grown for about 200 years in America. It is also used as an ornamental plant. Today, it is grown commercially in the USA such as in Oregon, California, Kentucky, Washington State, and Alabama.

In Japan, Asian pears were cultivated for more than 3000 years. Chinese sand pear arrived in New York (Flushing) in 1820. It arrived with Japanese and Chinese immigrants to the west in 1850s. Oregon and California are known as the highest producer of Asian pears. About hundreds of varieties are grown there.

Plant

The tree grows to 7-15 m in height. The fruit is a pome that is 5-8 cm in diameter, pyriform-subglobose and subglabrous. The fruit is brown or yellow, reddish-brown with pale dots. The flesh is creamy white, hard, grainy, crispy, and watery. The outer skin is smooth and rough. Each fruit contains small and black seeds. The leaves are alternately arranged, ovate to elliptic or ovate, 7–12 × 4–6.5 cm, glabrous, base rounded, or subcordate. The flowers produced in mid-spring are hermaphrodite, white and 2.5-3.5 cm across. The sepals are triangular to ovate and 5 mm. Petals are white, ovate of 1.5-1.7 cm in size.

Nutritional value

Asian fruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber and has a low amount of fat and calories. 100 grams of Asian pear provides just 42 calories, 0.23 grams of fat, and 3.6 grams of dietary fiber. It is also packed with vitamins, minerals such as potassium, folate, magnesium, vitamin K and C. It provides 9.47% of dietary fiber, 8.19% of carbohydrate, 5.56% of copper, 4.22% of vitamin C, 3.75% of Vitamin K, 2.61% of manganese, 2.57% of potassium, and 2% of Vitamin B9.

Health Benefits of Asian pears

Asian pears are similar to Apples. The fruits are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain micronutrients which are essential for bone, blood, and cardiovascular health. Asian pears are less fruit, rounder, and grainier, and loaded with various amounts of nutrients that provide various health benefits. The fruits are added to soups, slaws, sandwiches, and salads. It is loaded with various amounts of dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins which support health.

1. Assist digestion

Fiber plays a vital role in digestion. Insoluble fiber is essential as it provides bulk to stool. It speeds up the process of passing waste from the digestive tract that prevents bloating, constipation, and indigestion. Soluble fiber promotes digestion by absorbing water to form a viscous and gelatinous substance that is fermented by bacteria. One should intake adequate fluids while taking a diet rich in fiber.

2. Prevent heart ailments

The research reveals that there is an inverse relationship between systolic & diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol level, and intake of insoluble fiber. Additionally, soluble fiber reduces the level of bad cholesterol by hindering cholesterol absorption.  Those who intake a diet rich in fiber helps to lower the chances of heart disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

3. Helps to lose weight

The studies show that a diet rich in fiber helps to prevent obesity. The intake of fiber has a negative relationship with body fat and body weight. The dietary fiber helps to lower the weight by making it full for a long time. The intake of a diet rich in fiber reduces the intake of overall food and also leads to low body weight. It reduces toxin absorption and alters the secretion of gut hormones.

4. Prevent diabetes

The soluble fiber slows the digestion process and stabilizes the level of blood sugar. It enhances the sensitivity of insulin and controls the spikes of blood sugar as well as conditions such as diabetes. There is a negative relationship between dietary fiber and blood glucose levels. The intake of a diet rich in fiber prevents the resistance of insulin that is formed from the rise in glucose levels.

5. Digestive ailments

A diet rich in fiber prevents digestive ailments such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Prebiotic fiber enhances the function of the immune system and maintains the health of the intestines and colon. It clears the waste from the digestive organs. Moreover, a diet rich in fiber lowers the chances of heart disease and cancer. It enhances immunity by changing the body’s responding ability to bacteria and acids.

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Traditional uses

• Asian pears are used in traditional Chinese medicine to regenerate body fluids, detoxify, dissolve mucus, relieve restlessness, promote urination, quench thirst, treat constipation, heal skin lesions, alleviate retina pain, lubricate the throat, promote overall skin health, heal hoarse throat and relieve cough.
• The Chinese herbalists use it to remove dark circles under the eyes.
• Asian pears are also used to treat coughs, laryngitis, and sore throats.

How to Eat

• The fruit of Asian pear is consumed raw or added to fruit salads.
• The fruits are also cooked.
• Asian pear is also used to marinate beef.
• Nashi pears are used to make jams as they are rich in water content.
• The fruits are used in pies and also baked.
• Asian pear is also used to prepare fruit juice, pie, jam, and salad.
• It could be mixed with other fruits such as peaches, pineapple, grapes, etc.
• The dried slices of Asian pear are added to baby food.
• The baked or poached Asian pears are served with ice cream.

Other Facts

• Asian pear belongs to the family of roses Rosaceae.
• The skin of the fruit is a speckled and light yellow, golden brown, green, or cream color.
• Asian pears are baked, poached, grilled, and barbecued.
• In East Asia, the flower is a sign of spring.
• Asian pears bruise easily as it has a high content of water.
• Asian pears have sufficient quantities of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, fiber, and potassium.

References

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