If you love pears
but have never grown an Asian variety, try the Kosui pear tree. Growing Kosui
pears is much like growing any European pear variety, so don’t be afraid to
give it a go. You’ll love the crisper texture of these Asian
pears coupled with a sweet taste and versatility in the kitchen.
What is a Kosui Asian Pear?
It’s important to get some Kosui Asian pear information before you decide to grow this variety, especially if your experience with Asian varieties is limited. Asian pears like Kosui are true pears, but, in many ways, the fruits are more like apples. They are typically round—some are indeed pear-shaped— and have a crisper texture than European pears.
Kosui pears are small to medium in size and rounded like an
apple but with a little bit of flattening like a Clementine orange. The tender
skin is brown with a gold or bronze background. The Kosui pear’s flesh is both
crisp and juicy, and the flavor is very sweet.
You can enjoy Kosui pear fresh, and it goes well with
cheeses, much like an apple. It is also tasty in salads and can stand up to
grilling and poaching. Kosui is delightful in baked desserts and also in savory
cooked dishes. You can store your harvest for about a month.
How to Grow Kosui Asian Pears
Kosui pear trees are pretty cold-hardy, and they can be grown down to USDA zone 4 and through to zone 9. You will need to provide your tree with a sunny spot and soil that drains well. Plant it with enough space to grow to about 20 feet (6 m.) tall and 12 feet (3.5 m.) wide. On dwarf rootstock, it will grow to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and 7 feet (2 m.) wide.
Water your pear tree regularly in the first year and then go
down to just occasional, as rainfall requires.
Pruning once a year should be adequate for your tree, but do
it more often if you want a certain shape or size. Kosui pear will need a
pollinator, so plant another variety of Asian pear or an early European pear
nearby.
Kosui pears are ready to harvest from the middle of July to
early August. Harvesting pears can be a little tricky. Let the color brighten
before picking them. One good sign is that a few pears have dropped from the
tree.
If you love pears
but have never grown an Asian variety, try the Kosui pear tree. Growing Kosui
pears is much like growing any European pear variety, so don’t be afraid to
give it a go. You’ll love the crisper texture of these Asian
pears coupled with a sweet taste and versatility in the kitchen.
What is a Kosui Asian Pear?
It’s important to get some Kosui Asian pear information before you decide to grow this variety, especially if your experience with Asian varieties is limited. Asian pears like Kosui are true pears, but, in many ways, the fruits are more like apples. They are typically round—some are indeed pear-shaped— and have a crisper texture than European pears.
Kosui pears are small to medium in size and rounded like an
apple but with a little bit of flattening like a Clementine orange. The tender
skin is brown with a gold or bronze background. The Kosui pear’s flesh is both
crisp and juicy, and the flavor is very sweet.
You can enjoy Kosui pear fresh, and it goes well with
cheeses, much like an apple. It is also tasty in salads and can stand up to
grilling and poaching. Kosui is delightful in baked desserts and also in savory
cooked dishes. You can store your harvest for about a month.
How to Grow Kosui Asian Pears
Kosui pear trees are pretty cold-hardy, and they can be grown down to USDA zone 4 and through to zone 9. You will need to provide your tree with a sunny spot and soil that drains well. Plant it with enough space to grow to about 20 feet (6 m.) tall and 12 feet (3.5 m.) wide. On dwarf rootstock, it will grow to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and 7 feet (2 m.) wide.
Water your pear tree regularly in the first year and then go
down to just occasional, as rainfall requires.
Pruning once a year should be adequate for your tree, but do
it more often if you want a certain shape or size. Kosui pear will need a
pollinator, so plant another variety of Asian pear or an early European pear
nearby.
Kosui pears are ready to harvest from the middle of July to
early August. Harvesting pears can be a little tricky. Let the color brighten
before picking them. One good sign is that a few pears have dropped from the
tree.