Taste

Ya pears are varied from medium to large in size with tear-drop shaped, which usually slanted to one side with a large base that tapers to a smaller, narrow neck with a characteristically long, brown stem. The thin, green skin will be transformed to yellow when it is ripe and is hard and smooth with light russeting and prominent lenticels or pores covering the surface. The flesh of Ya Pear is very white even to be cream-colored, crisp, moist, fine-textured, and aromatic, encasing a central core with a few small, black seeds. Ya pears are much softer than other varieties of Chinese pear, making them more susceptible to bruising. When Ya Pear comes to be ripe, it is sweet, mildly tart, and juicy.

Seasons/Availability

Ya pears are available in the early Autumn over the winter and spring season of the next year.

The  Variety Information of Ya Pear

Ya pears, botanically classified as Pyrus pyrifolia, are an Asian variety that are members of the Rosaceae family along with apricots and apples. Also known as Ya Li and Chinese White pears, Ya pears is one of the most popular Asian pears in China, and are also one of the most commercially variety, which accounts for more than 30% of the country's pear exports. Ya pear is also popular in Korea,Japan, USA and Southeast countries, and are favored for their sweet flavor and delicate texture.

Nutrition

Ya pear is an perfect source of vitamin C and copper and are a good supply of dietary fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin K.

Applications

Ya pear is most suitable for both fresh and cooked usage. They can be consumed as edible fruit and substitute for regular pears in many recipes, blended into squash soup, sliced in green salads with Thai basil, crab, tofu or chicken, pasta salads, and fruit salads with grapes and apples. They can also be poached in wine or halved, roasted or grilled, and eaten with pork, lamb, and chicken dishes. Ya pears can be mixed-cook with hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts, honey, golden raisins, persimmons, apricots, figs, apples, lemon, orange, honey, beets, squash, sweet potatoes, herbs such as basil, dill, and parsley, cheeses such as parmesan, feta, goat, cheddar, and blue, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, rosemary, and anise. They will be kept up to one week at room temperature and up to three weeks when placed in the refrigerator.

Cultural Info

In China, ya means "duck," and li means "pear," so Ya-Li is often referred to as “duck pear.” Ya pears, like many other Asian pear varieties, are applicable in Chinese medicine for detoxifying the body and in treatments for coughs, laryngitis, ulcers, and constipation. They are also used to help to promote health of people, eliminate under eye circles, and helpful for relieving retina pain.

History

Ya pear is native to China and Japan and have been planted for long period of time. In Asia, pear such as  nashi, which is the Japanese word for pear. The fruit dates back to ancient civilizations in the Eastern region of the continent and still grow widely in this continent. Currently, Ya pears could be found at local markets and specialty markets in  Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and USA.

Recipes for Cooking

Recipes that include Ya Pears as below

The BBQ BastardGrilled Pear Salad Bowl

Cooking on the Front BurnerEasy Pear & Sweet Potato Soup

Chinese Soup PotNourishing Snow Fungus Papaya Pear and Sweet Potato Soup

Daily Cooking QuestYa Pear and Snow Fungus Sweet Soup