Ya Li Pear

Ya Li Pear (a.k.a Ya Pear or Fragrant Pear)
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I'm not much of a pear person. I usually only like them when they're cooked or baked into something, and sometimes in a salad...but for the most part I could take or leave them.

Well, strangely enough, for the past month I've been munching away at these pears that I recently found in my local grocery store. At first I passed them by, thinking that they were the usual asian pear, but I'm glad I doubled back and picked some up.

Yali pears are a variety of asian pear, originally cultivated in China. Their flesh is unusually crisp in texture, much more like that of an apple.


They're a good source of fiber (their skin is paper thin, so it's very easy to eat) and they're so juicy! Seriously, I felt like I was drinking them rather than eating...very refreshing.

Their flavor is very subtle, and slightly perfumey. I can't really put my finger on it, but there is an aftertaste that's similar to either rum or ginger.


I looked up them up to see when they're officially in season and got conflicting information. However, it seems that they begin coming into stores (in the States at least) around early spring and last through October...but again, I'm not totally sure.


Ya li pears have a very delicate skin that bruises easily, so you'll usually find them individually wrapped in tissue paper and a mesh netting for protection. Also, they're picked when they're green, so you'll see them in varying shades of yellow-green. Try to get them when they have at least a hint of yellow.

I haven't tried these pears in a salad yet, I think I've been enjoying them so much just by themselves!...But I think I'll have grab some more this weekend and try something out.
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Well, I just wanted share my "new" find, lol. I'm really suprised that I found a pear that I can actually enjoy raw and on it's own.


If you've tried these pears before, or if you're trying them for the first time...let me know what they taste like to you... :o)




Happy Spring!