What apples are to Europeans are Nashi pears to Asians, which are also enjoying increasing popularity in Germany. They are easy to plant in the garden. Since not all Nashi trees are self-pollinating, the Nashi variety plays an important role in the harvest.
What types of Nashi pears are there?
Popular Nashi pear varieties include the self-pollinating “Nijisseiki” as well as the non-self-pollinating varieties “Hosui”, “Shinseiki”, “Kosui”, “Shinui”, “Chojuro”, “Shinko” and “Sik Chon Early Pears.” Their fruits vary in color, taste and ripening time.
The two main varieties of Nashi pear
There are countless varieties of Nashis trees in Asia. Only a few of them made it to Europe. This is partly because some varieties have a rather bland taste.
Nashi pears come in two main varieties. One is characterized by yellowish fruits, the other produces bronze-colored nashis.
Which variety it is can often be deduced from the variety name. The name of yellowish nashis often ends in “ki”, while that of the bronze-colored fruits ends in “ui”.
Not all Nashis are self-pollinating
If you only want to plant one Nashi tree, you must make sure that it is a self-pollinating variety. To harvest fruit from non-self-pollinating varieties, you must either keep several trees in the garden or place the tree next to a pear tree such as 'Gellert's Butter Pear' or 'Williams Christ'.
Self-pollinated Nashi varieties
The yellow “Nijisseiki” Nashi pear is a self-pollinating variety. It can be kept as a single tree in the garden or in a pot on the terrace. “Nijisseiki” can also be used as a pollinator variety for non-self-pollinating Nashi trees.
It is most commonly grown in European gardens and, when pruned correctly, bears a lot of fruit. The taste is sweet and sour. The fruits are very juicy and suitable for fresh consumption.
Less well known is the self-pollinating “Needle Pear”, which is sweet and resistant to disease.
Non-self-pollinating varieties
- “Hosui” – early ripening and heavy-bearing
- “Shinseiki” – very sweet, juicy, thin peel
- “Kosui” – early ripening, very good quality
- “Shinui” – very aromatic
- “Chojuro” – rather bland in taste
- “Shinko” – large fruit, stores well
- “Sik Chon Early Pear” – very robust variety, resistant to pear rust
Tips & Tricks
Nashi pears are also known as Asian pears or apple pears. The shape of the fruit resembles that of an apple. The pulp is sweet and refreshing. The aroma is reminiscent of pear and melon, although it is not as intense.
