Asian, Japanese, Taiwanese, sand, Nashi - as soon as they do not call a Chinese pear! This foreign fruit appeared on the Russian market relatively recently, but has already gained popularity due to its pleasant and unusual taste.. In addition, the Chinese pear is quite simple to grow, and its fruits have a lot of useful properties.
Table of contents
Origin
The modern Chinese pear originates from Yamanashi pear. The hard and tart fruit was sour and tasteless, it was not in great demand. But thanks to the efforts of Chinese breeders, a new species has been developed, deprived of excessive astringency, but at the same time retaining the best taste characteristics.
What does a Chinese pear look like?
The fruits of Chinese pear are round, dense. Color Depends on Grade - pears can be as light yellow or even pale greenish, and bronze. The peel is covered with brownish specks, similar to grains of sand (therefore a pear is called a sand one). The flesh is white, juicy, but firm and crisp.
How to choose a ripe fruit?
For a Chinese pear, the selection criteria are the same as for other varieties: taste, density, peel. It is better to choose in the market and not in the off-season, because in the market there is an opportunity to taste the fruit before purchase. The taste of ripe fruit has a slight sourness, the flesh is devoid of lumps, very juicy. The fruit should be dense, but in any case not soft. Also, it should not be deformed under the fingers. The ripe Chinese pear skin is smooth, speckled, but without dark spots and even less without a trace of mold.
On the shelves of stores often immature fruits, and in order for the pear to “ripen”, it is required to hold it at room temperature.An unripe Chinese pear can also be placed in a paper bag with an apple or banana - as practice shows, “it ripens faster together.” It should be remembered that it is better to keep ripe fruits in the refrigerator, because they will quickly deteriorate in the heat, and in low temperatures, the shelf life increases from one to three weeks.
About the benefits and dangers of pears of this type
Like any vegetable or fruit, a Chinese pear is a source of minerals, vitamins, water and fiber. The high content of vitamin C strengthens the immune system, and calcium is responsible for strengthening the teeth, nails and hair. Chinese pear recommended to eat during pregnancybecause folic acid in the pulp benefits both the mother and the unborn baby.
In addition, the Chinese pear:
- Improves digestive system;
- Promotes bone and muscle growth due to the high content of phosphorus;
- Normalizes the cardiovascular systems and prevents the risk of stroke and heart attack;
- Maintains cellular balance and prevents the formation of cancer.
It is also necessary to mention the low calorie content of the Chinese pear: for one fruit weighing 200-300 grams there are 140 calories. This makes the Chinese pear an ideal component of the diet.
However, a useful Chinese pear can cause significant harm to the body., if you do not take into account several nuances:
- Pear can not eat on empty stomach;
- It is not recommended to use the fruit with meat or dairy products. - it will cause severe indigestion;
- If present idiosyncrasy on the Chinese pear, it is necessary to refuse its use;
Sorta
Currently, there are several hundreds of varieties of Chinese pears with different sizes and tastes of fruits, different ripening periods and degrees of yield. However, in Russia with its difficult climatic conditions, less than a dozen varieties became widespread. Distinctive features of these varieties are undemanding trees to the soil, a high degree of yield and increased frost resistance. In addition, trees are resistant to drought and pest conditions.
The following varieties of Chinese pears are most often grown in Russia:
- Morning freshness
- Josu
- Kosu
- Olympic (there are other names: Korean giant or Big Korean)
Let us dwell on each of them in more detail.
Morning freshness
This is a summer variety - you can start collecting pears in the first half of August. Self-fertile. The tree gives the best harvest if the pollinators are such varieties of Chinese pear as Eastern golden, Bronze or Kieffer. Fruiting begins fairly quickly - 3-4 years after planting. The variety is characterized by resistance to fungi and bacterial diseases; in the southern regions it tolerates low temperatures well. The fruits are small, round, weighing about 115-180 grams, the color is yellow.
Kosu
Another summer variety, removable maturity of which occurs in the second half of July. The variety is frost resistant, resistant to pests.
The tree begins to bear fruit in the second year. Fruits are small varieties - 130-160 grams, but very rich bronze color. The flesh is sweet, juicy.
Josu
Despite the fact that the variety is self-pollinating, the neighborhood of other Chinese pears will contribute a lot to an excellent harvest. Autumn variety, harvest begins in the second half of August.
The tree begins to bear early - 2-3 years after planting. Distinctive qualities: frost resistance, resistance to pests. Fruits are bronze-brown, with very dense, but at the same time juicy sweet pulp. The weight of a pear can reach 300 grams.
Olympic
Quite a popular autumn variety of Chinese pear due to its characteristics - precocity, resistance to pests and low temperatures. Neither scab nor powdery mildew are terrible for this variety. The tree begins to bear fruit in the second year with round fruits of a pleasant golden color with small gray specks. The weight of each fruit reaches 160 grams.
The popularity of Chinese pear in Russia is growing rapidly. This environmentally friendly variety gains a place as a quick adaptation to climatic and soil conditions, as well as the wonderful taste and aroma of fruit. If you want to plant a tree that will soon delight you with its fruits,stop your choice on the Chinese pear - you will not regret!