Produce Briefs...
Sharlyn Melon
The Sharlyn melon has a cracked skin with tan and yellow-orange coloring. Superficially resembling an elongated Cantaloupe, the Sharlyn does not possess the sweet unctuous flavor of Cantaloupes, rather a more restrained balance of sweetness
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
The Fragrant pear is available during the fall, winter and spring months.
Current Facts
The aromatic Fragrant pear has been cultivated for more than 1,300 years in a small province along the Silk Road in China. These pears are also referred to as Korla Fragrant pears for the city in China where they are grown.
Description/Taste
Fragrant pears are small, slightly round and sometimes egg-shaped. The pear lives up to its name; it is fragrant, with a floral aroma. Yellow and green in color with a slight red blush, these aromatic pears have smooth skin and small dots on its surface. The pears travel quite a distance from where they are grown and can be found wrapped in tissue and a netted sleeve. Fragrant pears are best eaten when firm; they are crisp, sweet and juicy with a white flesh.
Applications
Fragrant pears are best eaten fresh, out-of-hand, but they also work well in green salads and in baked goods. Like other Asian pears, the Korla pears keep their shape when cooked. Poach in red wine and cinnamon for a sweet dessert or bake in a tart or pie.
Geography/History
The Fragrant pear has been cultivated in the Xinjiang province of China for over 1300 years. It was only introduced to the rest of the world in 2006. Grown along the Silk Road, these pears are considered the finest in the area and are more expensive than most grown in surrounding China, Japan or Korea. The pears are grown in the city of Korla, which is the largest city in Western China. Farmers there use air guns to remove dirt, insects or debris from the pears and gently wrap them in tissue and foam net for their journey across the world. An Oregon farmer brought a cutting back from China in 2004 and has tried growing the pears in the Hood River valley, with unknown results.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Fragrant Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Sense & Serendipity |
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Salad of Roasted Beets and Fragrant Pear, and Arugula |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Fragrant Pears using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Parkson Supermarket Near Shanghai, Shanghai, China About 30 days ago Spotter's comments : Fragrant pears grown in China, available here. |
