What is better than getting fresh fruit at a Farmer’s Market? Getting fresh fruit from a farm, of course! Today, for Friday field trip you are joining me as I pick some Asian pears!
Have you tasted an Asian pear? They are delicious! With a texture similar to apples, the light sweetness and crispy texture (maintained long after they are picked) of this pear make it a really great addition to salads.
Asian pears are native to Japan and China where they have been grown for over 3000 years. The most common grown in the U.S. are Japanese varieties which have a shape similar to an apple.
The first documented appearance of an Asian pear in the United States was recorded in 1820 when a Chinese sand pear was imported to Flushing, New York.
Today Asian pears are grown not only throughout Asia but in Italy, Spain, Australia, France, Chile and New Zealand as well. In the United States, the bulk of commercial production comes from California and Oregon with a smaller supply coming out of Washington State, Kentucky and Alabama.
We are so lucky to have some Asian pears growing here in Connecticut and people come from far away to pick them!
If you haven’t ever tried an Asian pear, I hope I have inspired you to do so! Sliced on a green salad and garnished with a fig vinaigrette…yum!
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie