Aromatic fruits that feel heavier than their size indicates. Hardness is a sure sign of a desirable Asian pear. Most types of Asian pears are round and slightly larger than an apple.
Color ranges from pale yellow to bright green to brown, often dotted with russet spots.
Protect their delicate skin by wrapping them individually in paper towels and then in plastic. Asian pears hold up well to poaching and baking, but add plenty of extra cooking time if they are substituting for common pears. Asian pears are a cousin of the more common pear varieties and are part of the same family of fruits. They have a sweet, mild flavor, and a firm, crunchy texture like an apple. Asian pears are also called sand pears, Chinese pears, and apple pears.