




Shinko Pears
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Description/Taste
Shinko pears are large fruits, averaging 7 to 10 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to ovate shape. The skin is semi-thick, chewy, firm, and lightly textured with russet, bearing a golden-bronze hue covered in many small, pale yellow lenticels. Underneath the surface, the ivory to white flesh is dense, granular, and aqueous with a crisp, crunchy consistency. There is also a central, fibrous core encasing small, oval black seeds. Shinko pears have a very sweet, floral-forward flavor with tangy citrus undertones and lingering notes of butterscotch.
Seasons/Availability
Shinko pears are available in the late fall through winter.
Current Facts
Shinko pears, botanically classified as Pyrus pyrifolia, are a late-season Asian pear variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The sweet, subtly tangy fruits are primarily consumed fresh and are favored for their golden coloring and lightly russeted skin. Shinko pears are grown on a small scale for select grocers and farmers markets in Japan, but the variety has recently declined in production in favor of other more popular Asian pear cultivars. Despite their decline, Shinko pears are still being grown in home gardens of pear enthusiasts and are selected for the variety’s resistance to diseases such as fire blight and black spot. Shinko pears are believed to be one of the most fire blight resistant Japanese pear varieties, and the trees can grow up to five meters in height, producing high yields with extended storage capabilities. Shinko pear trees are also considered ornamental for landscaping with their white blossoms, golden fruits, and dark green leaves.
Nutritional Value
Shinko pears are an excellent source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and boost collagen production within the skin. The fruits also contain vitamin K to assist in better wound healing and provide some potassium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and calcium.
Applications
Shinko pears are best suited for fresh applications as the crisp, juicy flesh is showcased when consumed straight, out-of-hand. The fruits can be eaten like an apple with the skin on, discarding the core, or they can be sliced and mixed into fruit salads, cut and displayed on fruit platters, chopped into green salads, or blended into smoothies. Shinko pears can also be shredded and tossed into slaws, used as a topping over ice cream, or juiced for fruit punch, cocktails, and flavored beverages. In addition to raw applications, Shinko pears can be grilled, roasted, or braised with meats for a sweet and savory combination. They can also be incorporated into many desserts, including pies, crisps, cobblers, muffins, cakes, and fritters. Shinko pears complement ingredients such as ginger, lemongrass, chile peppers, green beans, bell peppers, coconut, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whole, unwashed Shinko pears will keep 1 to 3 months when stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The district of Haruna in Takasaki City is the largest fruit-growing region within the Gunma Prefecture of Japan. Over 140 farms grow stone fruits, berries, and varieties of Asian pears, including Shinko, and along the major 406 National Highway running through the district, the farms have established a line of fruit stalls known as the Haruna Fruit Road. Visitors travel from all over Japan to Haruna to visit the fruit road, sampling freshly harvested fruits, and some nearby farms offer u-pick fruit farm visits. In the fall, Haruna hosts the Haruna Pear Festival to honor the region’s significant pear history. During the festival, many Asian pear varieties are displayed with free samples, and visitors can purchase the fruits as souvenirs. There is also a pear peeling competition to determine who can peel the fruits the fastest, and the winner receives free pears as a prize.
Geography/History
Asian pears are believed by experts to have been present in Japan as early as the 1st century and were first documented in the 8th century through ancient texts. The fruits were grown in home gardens and small farms and were selectively bred over time to improve the fruit’s resistance to disease. Extensive cultivation of Asian pears began in the late 19th century when nijisseiki and chojuro varieties were discovered as chance seedlings. The cultivars inspired researchers to breed new varieties in the early 20th century, and almost all of the modern Asian pear varieties in existence are descendants of the nijisseiki. Shinko pears were bred through research stations in Niigata and Okayama in 1941 and are a cross between amanogawa and nijisseiki pears. Today Shinko pears are commercially cultivated on a small scale and are primarily found through farmer’s markets and specialty grocers in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Shinko Pears. One

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![]() About 80 days ago, 3/11/23 Sharer's comments : pear singo jumbo ![]() About 94 days ago, 2/24/23 ![]() About 130 days ago, 1/20/23 Sharer's comments : pear singo korea ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 198 days ago, 11/13/22 ![]() ![]() About 229 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears From Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
Becky Terry
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 230 days ago, 10/12/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Becky Terry ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 239 days ago, 10/03/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
Terry Ranch
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 241 days ago, 10/01/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Terry Ranch ![]() ![]()
Country Rhodes Family Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 248 days ago, 9/24/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Country Rhodes Family Farm ![]() ![]()
Country Rhodes Family Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 276 days ago, 8/27/22 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Country Rhodes Family Farms ![]() ![]() About 348 days ago, 6/15/22 ![]() ![]()
Meidi-Ya
Near Marina Ctr Ter, Singapore9 Raffles Boulevard #01-51 to 56, #02-26 to 36 Singapore 039596 656-339-1111 https://meidi-ya.com.sg About 463 days ago, 2/20/22 ![]() ![]() About 520 days ago, 12/26/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 522 days ago, 12/24/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 527 days ago, 12/19/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Asian Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 541 days ago, 12/05/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]()
Lee Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 556 days ago, 11/20/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Lee Farms ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 564 days ago, 11/11/21 ![]() ![]() About 572 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 579 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 580 days ago, 10/27/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Lee Farms ![]() ![]() About 582 days ago, 10/25/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Asian Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]() About 590 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]()
Becky Terry Ranch
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 591 days ago, 10/16/21 Sharer's comments : Shinko Pears from Becky Terry Ranch ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 592 days ago, 10/14/21 ![]() ![]()
Becky Terry
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 598 days ago, 10/09/21 ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 605 days ago, 10/02/21 ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Del Mar, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 647 days ago, 8/21/21 Sharer's comments : Also known as “apple” pears as they are consistently sweet and crisp! |