Asian Pear

Is this edible?

Yes! Asian pears are one of Korea's most popular fruits, eaten fresh as a dessert fruit and used extensively in cooking as a natural sweetener and meat tenderizer.

What does it taste like?

Imagine the crispness of an apple with the juiciness and floral sweetness of a pear — extremely refreshing, with a much higher water content than Western pears. They never become soft and mushy like Bartlett pears.

Where to buy

Korean and Asian grocery stores always stock them. Many regular supermarkets now carry Asian pears (sometimes labeled 'apple pears' or 'Korean pears'). They are round, yellow-bronze, and usually individually wrapped in foam netting.

How to prepare

Peel with a vegetable peeler, quarter, and remove the core. For cooking marinades, grate finely. For eating fresh, slice into wedges. For naengmyeon garnish, julienne into thin matchsticks.