The crisp first bite of an autumn Japanese pear is the true start to the season.
It’s no secret that seasonal fruit in Japan is an international, elite delicacy. Tourists spend hundreds of dollars for just a taste of the most in-season Japanese fruits, and in fall, the fruit-of-choice is Japanese “nashi,” or “pears.”
But which one is the perfect sweet and juicy pear for you?
If you’ve ever wanted to try luxury Japanese pears for yourself, look no further! Use this super simple guide to the most delicious varieties on the planet before you order them for yourself.
A Quick Refresher on Japanese Pears
If you’re unfamiliar with the delectable treat that is the Japanese pear, you’re missing out. Due to their long and rich history in East Asia, it is common to gift Japanese pears for special occasions like birthdays, giving souvenirs, and more when they are in season.
The most important things to remember are:
1. No two varieties of nashi pear are the same. If you’ve only tasted one, you’re absolutely missing out on the full spectrum of flavor possibilities if you don’t try at least one more!
2. While the European pears you see in your supermarket are likely oblong with a bloated bottom half, Japanese pears are usually perfect spheres that look more like apples.
3. The texture of the fruit isn’t buttery like European pears, rather, they’re refreshingly crisp and practically gushing with juice.
4. These fruits have a VERY limited harvest. Your window of opportunity to try these incredible feats of modern agricultural artistry is vanishingly small. Use this guide to choose your must-try varieties wisely!
Niigata Prefecture & Soju Farm: 3 Rare Japanese Pears
Tucked away in the fertile cradle of Niigata Prefecture, master farmers blend traditional wisdom with modern technology to bring luxury Japanese pears to the world.
Since at least the Edo Period (1603-1868), this region has been blessed with delicious Japanese nashi . The longest river in Japan, the Shinano River, flows through the land and saturates the soil with precious nutrients necessary for growing gourmet fruits.
In fact, Niigata is so well-known for its must-try pears that they’ve become synonymous with them. In 1997, the Niigata Prefectural Horticultural Research Center began research to create a completely unique pear variety that could represent the tireless work of their farmers to the world. After over 1000 attempts, two exceptional strains were chosen. Both unique fruits, the Shinmizuki and the Shin’o, are available through Ikigai Fruits.
The selection process focused on two things: flavor and deliciousness.
Rather than appearance or ease of cultivation, the scientists and farmers focused on selecting pears that could consistently deliver on the authentic flavor of Japanese pears.
These fertile lands have birthed ample varieties of pears, but these 3 grown on Niigata’s Soju Farm are a cut above the rest.
Akizuki, “Autumn Moon”
Named for the autumnal red coloring and elegant round shape, Akizuki nashi pears are distinctly sweet with mild acidity. These hefty fruits can be up to 1 pound per specimen thanks to the overflowing juices contained within. The limited harvest begins around September.
Shin-Mizuki, “New, Beautiful Moon”
1 of 2 premium Japanese pear varieties officially recognized as originating in Niigata through modern cultivation methods.
This pear is a perfectly balanced flavor masterpiece. Every bite of overflowing sweetness is deftly carved by the natural acidity of the fruit, making it a perfectly curated flavor experience.
The most distinct feature? Shinmizuki’s long, thick stem that aesthetically sets it apart from other varieties. These pears are harvested in mid to late September.
Shinkou, “New Pleasure”
Shinkou is a sweet and juicy pear known for its massive size and weight. Each one is heavy, consistently weighing a little over a pound. The fruit is swollen with soaked flesh and wrapped in a crisp skin that yields with a satisfying crunch to your first bite.
The flavor is moderately sugary with a gentle acidity in every note.
Two More Mouth-Watering Luxury Japanese Pears
Beyond Soju Farm, Niigata is home to an expansive variety of premium Japanese pears. This year, Ikigai Fruits is excited to bring 2 new rare Japanese pears to your doorstep.
Shin’o,“New King”
Possibly the sweetest among all the other Japanese pears.
This is the second luxury Japanese pear variety to be officially recognized by Niigata prefecture to represent the miraculous flavors of these fruits to the world.
Every bite overflows with sugary juice, and the powerful flavors with dessert-like texture make it a majestic experience in every bite. This pear ships in late September to early October.
Nansui,“Southern Water”
Unlike the others on this list, Nansui pears trace their origin to Nagano Prefecture, even though they are cultivated in Niigata today.
When this delicious fruit first appeared on the scene at Tsukiji market in the 90s, the average Nansui pear was commonly sold for almost $10 per fruit.
This variety is known for its large size, high sugar content, and long shelf life. It can last up to a month at room temperature. While it can also survive up to 3 months in the refrigerator, we do not recommend storing Nansui pears in the cold for too long as it will weaken its sweetness.
However, we do recommend chilling it slightly before taking your first bite into its crispy, taut skin to maximize the refreshing taste of its sweet juices.
Conclusion:
Blessed by nature and coveted around the world, Japanese pears are a once-in-a-lifetime delicacy only available for a limited time. Every one of these completely unique fruits is a miracle that has to be tasted to be believed.
Buy Japanese pears online with Ikigai Fruits to taste the crisp, juicy sweetness you’ll crave over and over again.