Nashi-Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta) also called Apple-Pear or Asian-Pear originate from the Rosaceae family (Rosengewächs) and was raised in China. Its name is japanese as "nashi" means pear (fun fact: We call it "pear-pear" 😄). In Japan there are 1'000 to 1'200 different sorts. They are mainly cultivated in East-Asia but in todays time also in Europe, South America and other parts of the world. This is because this species is able to abide temperatures up to minus 20 degrees celsius, therefore this plant also survives the cold swiss winters outside. The more sun and the less wind the better and profitable the harvest. The bountiful crop can be gathered in August/September. The nashi-pear consist more water than pears originated in Europe but the nutritional values are about the same. The trees don't have a gender, they are all hybrids and nontoxic.
In the following picture you see the edible fruit growing on the tree and cut into two pieces:
Our relation to this golden fruit is to gain knowledge about unknown, seasonal and local food. As we first got in touch with nashi, we were absolutely fascinated that a fruit can look like an apple and taste like a pear!
Stefanie Kunz, Simone Etter
TZ 19
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