20th Century Pears

Estimated Inventory, 22 lbs : 0

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Description/Taste

20th Century pears are small to medium in size, averaging 3-5 centimeters in diameter, and are round to slightly oblong with a uniform shape and a thin, slender, green stem. The smooth skin is thin, pale yellow-green, and has prominent lenticels or pores scattered across the surface. The flesh is white to cream-colored, crisp, and firm, and there is a central fibrous core with a few small, brown-black seeds. 20th Century pears are fragrant, juicy, crunchy, and have a mild and sweet flavor with initial notes of vanilla and butterscotch followed by a tart, slightly astringent but pleasant taste.

Seasons/Availability

20th Century pears are available in the late summer through fall.

Current Facts

20th Century pears, botanically classified as Pyrus pyrifolia, are the fruits of a large deciduous tree that can reach up to ten meters in height and belong to the Rosaceae or rose family. Also known as Nijisseiki, 20th Century pears are one of the most popular Japanese pear varieties in the world and are known for their crisp, juicy flavor. Chosen for both its ornamental and culinary value, 20th Century pear trees are easy to grow, heavy bearing, and are highly ornamental with showy, fragrant flowers in the spring, fruits in the late summer, and bright orange-red foliage in the fall.

Nutritional Value

20th Century pears are high in vitamin C, vitamin K, copper, potassium, and are a good source of dietary fiber.

Applications

20th Century pears are best suited for raw applications as their crunchy texture is showcased when served fresh, out-of-hand. They can be chilled, sliced, and served as a snack or steamed and sprinkled with salt or honey as a dessert. The crisp and juicy flesh adds flavor and crunch to green salads and can complement cheese platters pairing well with swiss, camembert, or stilton cheeses. They can also be julienned and added to coleslaw or sliced and placed in turkey sandwiches, wraps, and grilled cheeses. 20th Century pears are used to marinate meat such as beef and are commonly used in vinegar and soy sauce-based sauces as a natural sweetener. 20th Century pears compliment honey, jujubes, dates, raisins, plum wine, short ribs, sesame oil, rice vinegar, cardamom, and cinnamon. They are excellent keepers and will last up to six months when stored in the refrigerator. 20th Century pears can also be canned or frozen for extended use.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In Japan, 20th Century pears are traditionally shared after family meals, sliced with a pinch of salt and squeezed with a bit of lemon juice. The pears are often sliced in thin horizontal rounds to display the flower-like core as a decoration piece and a representation of the fruit’s beauty. The pear tree itself is also highly valued for its large, fragrant, white flowers and are seen as a symbol of early spring. 20th Century pears have thin skin which makes it a challenge to import. To protect the delicate fruit, the pears are hand-pollinated, hand harvested, and are carefully shipped around the world in individually wrapped mesh bags.

Geography/History

The 20th Century pear was first found growing wild as a chance seedling in Japan at the turn of the twentieth century, which is how it earned its name. The original pear tree still grows in an orchard in the hills of the Tottori prefecture along the northern coast of western Japan. Today 20th Century pears can be found at specialty shops, Asian markets, and select farmers markets across East Asia specifically in Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.