Japanese pears

Oriental pears from Pyrus serotina or P. pyrifolia trees. Also sold as Asian pears, Chinese pears, or sand pears — they are crisp and juicy with a rounded apple-like shape. Eaten fresh and used in desserts, their storage behaviour and chilling requirements differ from European pears, needing proper refrigeration to hold quality. Their crisp texture, which persists even when ripe, distinguishes them from the buttery texture of European varieties. Nashi is the Japanese name most familiar to international shoppers. They bruise easily, so careful handling and protective packaging matter in distribution.