Shandong Pears
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Shandong pears vary in size, depending on growing conditions, and are typically harvested between 80 and 210 grams in weight. The fruits have a round, oval, or obovate shape with a curved base and a tapered, narrow top. Some fruits may be more round with a short neck, while others may be longer with a small neck on the stem end. During cultivation, Shandong pears are often harvested while still green, bearing a hard, textured, taut, and rough skin. The skin is sometimes covered in brown markings and is thicker at this stage. After a period in storage, the fruits transition from green to golden yellow, and the skin thins, becoming waxy and slightly bumpy with some give. Underneath the surface, the white to ivory flesh is firm, coarse, aqueous, and dense, becoming tender, crisp, and crunchy with maturity. The flesh also encases a central core with small, dark brown seeds. Shandong pears release a sweet, refreshing aroma once ripe and are edible raw or cooked. The variety is sourer when green, developing rich, sweeter, and subtly sour notes as it transitions into its mature, yellow state.
Seasons/Availability
Shandong pears are harvested in the late summer through early fall, with a peak season between September and early October. Once picked, the fruits can be professionally stored and sold until May or June.
Current Facts
Shandong pears, botanically a part of the Pyrus genus, are a Chinese variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The mid-season fruits are known for their long-storing nature, making them a once-favored cultivar for commercial production. Historically, in the mid to late 20th century, Shandong pears were a top export fruit and were extensively grown in China for sales in international markets. The variety is also known as Huangxian Changba, Long-Handled, Longkou Longba, and Huangxian Longba pears. Shandong is a general descriptor given for the cultivar when they are shipped for export, as Shandong is the name of the province where the fruits are grown. Shandong pears are favored for their high yields, drought tolerance, and adaptability to different cultivation conditions. The variety is sold in multiple stages of maturity and is versatile for a wide array of fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Shandong pears have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Pears, in general, are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and vitamins B, C, E, and K to strengthen the immune system, contribute to energy production, assist in faster healing, and guard the cells against free radical damage. Pears also provide various minerals, like manganese, potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, and phosphorus. These minerals help the body produce red blood cells, balance fluid levels, control daily nerve functions, and support bones and teeth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pears are viewed as cooling in nature to moisten the lungs, remove heat, and detox the body.
Applications
Shandong pears have a sweet and sour taste suited for raw and cooked preparations. The variety is primarily eaten out of hand once soft and ripe. The pears are also sliced and tossed into salads or slaws when firm and green, served on cheese boards, or consumed as a topping over oatmeal, parfaits, and other breakfast dishes. While less common, Shandong pears are sometimes blended into various juices, smoothies, and other beverages throughout Asia. They are also occasionally frozen and eaten as an icy treat. In addition to fresh preparations, Shandong pears are cooked with rock sugar as a simple dessert and natural medicine for coughs, or the fruits are incorporated into desserts and baked goods. Shandong pears are also hollowed, stuffed, steamed, or stir-fried when young and firm. They are used to sweeten dishes and incorporated into marinades for seafood or meats like pork or duck. Shandong pears complement herbs like rosemary, coriander, and thyme, ginger, and spices such as cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon. Whole, unwashed Shandong pears will keep for several weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cellar or refrigerator. If the fruits are green and still unripe, they should be ripened at room temperature. Once mature, they can be placed in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer and consumed quickly for the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Shandong pears are a part of several myths and legends in China. The most prevalent tale highlights the pears as a gift from the heavens. The story begins with Zheng Yi, a young man who lived in the mountains of Huangxian County, now Longkou City. Zheng Yi went to collect firewood one morning when a violent storm suddenly appeared. After the storm cleared, a package floated from the heavens and was placed at Zheng Yi’s feet. The silk-wrapped package was labeled “Long-Handled pear,” and Zheng Yi quickly carried it home to share with his father. Zheng Yi’s father bowed in worship after receiving the gift as he realized it was from the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of the Chinese heavens in Chinese mythology. The father and son planted the pear seeds on an auspicious day, and the trees grew rapidly, eventually producing large yields of sweet-tasting fruits. The flavorful pears brought great wealth to Zheng Yi and his family, and they remained humble and kind to the community, allowing the spread of the trees throughout the region, forming the initial orchards of Shandong pear trees.
Geography/History
Shandong pears are native to China and were developed in the Shandong Province, an eastern region known for being one of the country's central pear-producing provinces. The variety’s origins are traced to Cuijia village in Huangxian county, now known as Longkou city in the present day. The mother tree was initially called the Tiansheng pear and is believed to be a natural hybrid of the wild Iron-skin pear and Huangxian Xiangshui pear. Shandong pears were first cultivated in the Qing Dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, sometime between 1661 and 1722 CE. In the late Qing Dynasty, an export industry was established, and Shandong pears became the preferred cultivar for export due to their long-storage capabilities. By the 1970s and 1990s, Shandong pears were one of the only pear varieties exported from China to areas of Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The 1990s marked the variety’s peak cultivation, but as improved storage facilities allowed other varieties to be preserved for extended periods, Shandong pears faded from commercial dominance in favor of other modern pear varieties. Today, Shandong pears are still grown in the Shandong province, sold domestically and exported internationally, primarily to Southern, Southeast, and East Asian countries. When in season, the variety is sold through fresh markets and select retailers.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Shandong Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Monika Hibbs |
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Pear & Cinnamon Muffins |
| Recipe Runner |
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Pear Ginger Smoothie |
| Bren Did |
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Easy Pear Sauce and Pear Fruit Leather |
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