Nashi Pear

From Free net encyclopedia

Nashi is also another spelling for the Nakhi people, a Nationality of China.

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Nashi Pear | image = Nashi pear.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = A Nashi Pear | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Rosales | familia = Rosaceae | subfamilia = Maloideae | genus = Pyrus | species = P. pyrifolia | binomial = Pyrus pyrifolia | binomial_authority = (Burm.) Nak. }}

Image:Nashi pear tree in bloom.jpg

The Nashi Pear, Sand Pear or Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is a species of pear native to eastern Asia, where it is widely grown for its edible fruit. It is often referred to as the Korean Pear or Taiwan Pear but is not its true name. These are juicy, round pears that are shaped like apples. Because of the resemblance, they are sometimes known as "apple pears". They are a popular fruit, eaten as a thirst quencher. They are sweet on the tree and are eaten crisp.

Nashi Pear flowers are white with five petals; they flower around April. The fruit is harvested in fall and nashi may be used as an autumn kigo, or "season word", in writing haiku.

Note that in Japanese, Nashi (梨) is the word for the Japanese apple-pear, while European Pears (Pyrus communis) are called Yōnashi (洋梨), which is literally Western Nashi. See also the similar Ya Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), grown in China.

Culture

In Japan, Nashi Pears are harvested in Chiba, Ibaraki, Tottori, Fukushima, Nagano, Miyagi and other prefectures. In China, Nashi Pears have been considered a popular and sacred fruit. Many popular sayings have come from the Nashi Pear. In Korean cuisine, Nashi Pears are often sliced or made into a sauce to add sweetness to its dishes. Nashi pears are also a popular after dinner treat to cleanse the palate.

In Taiwan, Nashi Pears harvested in Japan have become luxurious presents since 1997 and its consumption has jumped.

Nashi Pear cultivars

Important cultivars of Nashi Pear include:

• 'Chojuro' (Japan, 1890s)
• 'Danbae' (Korea, 1969; also known as 'Arirang', 'Korean Giant', 'Olympic')
• 'Hosui' (Japan, 1972)
• 'Kikusui' (Japan)
• 'Kosui' (Japan, 1959; the most important cultivar in Japan)
• 'Niitaka' (Japan, 1927)
• 'Nijisseiki' (Japan, 1898; name means "20th century", also spelled 'Nijusseiki')
• 'Seigyoku' (Japan)
• 'Shinko' (Japan)
• 'Shinseiki' (Japan, 1945; name means "New century")ja:ナシ

cy:Gellygen de:Nashi fa:گلابی آسیایی fr:Nashi nl:Nashi-peer sv:Päron zh:梨