Dis A Pear, Please

In my continuing quest to explore Pear-dom, I came across an odd little pear called the Asian Brown. How is the Asian Brown odd? First, in its shape: the Asian Brown is not at all pear-shaped. It is round, with no neck. Second, in its skin: it is tannish/brownish, with speckles. Third, in the taste and texture of its flesh: taste is bland, watery, not pear-like at all (with perhaps a subtle melon-like hint); texture is hard and crunchy and only slightly pear-like. Fourth, in its packaging: the Asian Brown is typically sold in a styrofoam netting or sleeve, the only pear I've seen that is sold this way. Why the Asian Brown is sold as a pear, I don't know. Perhaps it is genetically a member of the pear family, but the pear-ness of the Asian Brown is hidden and not at all obvious. This one goes to the bottom of my pear list, and I do not plan to buy any more of them.

I know there are those who like the Asian Brown, or they would not be sold, but I am not among those.

Not all is happy in Pearville
bIsh

A Pear of Winners

Well, folks, in addition to the Red Anjou pear, there is the Green Anjou pear, also called the Anjou (without color reference). Everything I said about the Red is true of the Green, except for the skin and color. The skin of the Red is a little rougher in appearance than is the skin of the Green. The Green Anjou is, as the name implies, green in color - light green like a Bartlett - with speckles. In shape the Green is similar to the Red - shorter and squatter than the classic pear shape, with a short neck. The flesh is soft and moist, juicy and succulent. Concerning taste, the words sparkly, zesty, and lively apply. The Green Anjou is one excellent pear. The main difference between the Green and the Red is the skin color and texture. Both of these pears are at the top of my list of favorite pears.

Which came first, the Green, the Red, or the
bIsh

**Bonus pear fact/observation: I have observed that the ideal time to consume a pear is typically between 3 to 7 days after bringing it home from the store. This is because the pears in the store are typically not fully ripe, and they continue to ripen after arriving at the house. Pears eaten before this ideal window tend to be harder and crunchy, and after tend to be mushy and bland in flavor. Of course, your mileage may vary.