Nashi Niitaka - Apple-Pear

Pyrus pyrifolia Niitaka, more commonly known as Nashi Niitaka, is a fairly hardy, vigorous, highly productive, and self-fertile Japanese variety. It produces large fruits called nashis, which have a subglobose shape, similar to apples. The skin is slightly rough, fairly thin, beige or yellow-brown, and develops bronze tones when ripe, covered in white spots all over. The white flesh is fine, crisp, sweet, very juicy, with a pear-like taste, sometimes granular in the centre. Harvesting takes place from September to October, and the fruits can be eaten as soon as they are ripe and can be stored for a few weeks in a cool place. Surprising and pleasant to taste, nashi is best enjoyed raw. When cooked, it is a variety that lends itself well to many recipes for jams, pastries, and desserts. This Japanese pear tree prefers a sunny exposure, in well-draining, cool, deep, rich, and non-calcareous soil.

The Nashi, Pyrus pyrifolia, or serotina, more commonly known as apple-pear, Japanese pear, Asian pear, or sand pear, is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, like the pear tree or apple tree. It is native to China and Japan, where it grows in medium-altitude mountains. Cultivated in Asia for a long time, it has recently appeared in Europe. "Nashi" is a Japanese word that can be translated as "pear," which refers to both the shrub and the fruit. Although the Nashi is not a cross between an apple tree and a pear tree, its fruits are sometimes called "apple-pear" because they resemble apples while having the texture of pears.

The Niitaka variety is a hybrid that was obtained in Japan in 1927. It is a high-yielding variety, with quick fruiting and abundant and regular fruit production. It forms a small tree with a fairly upright structure, reaching a height of 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet), producing numerous slightly arched branches, with a spreading habit. Its habit is suitable for high forms (on a stem) or low forms (in a goblet shape) or espaliers (fan-trained). Its deciduous foliage consists of large leaves, 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long, alternate, lanceolate, shiny dark green, turning yellow-orange-red in autumn before falling. Flowering occurs in April, which usually protects it from frost. The white flowers, single, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in umbels, are nectar-bearing. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3°C. It is a fairly hardy tree that can withstand temperatures around -15°C and is suitable for cultivation in most regions, including low-altitude areas. This Japanese pear tree is self-fertile, but production can be improved by the presence of a nearby William pear tree for cross-pollination and increased fruit yield.

Harvesting begins in early September and continues until October. The fruits can be consumed as soon as they are ripe. Nashi is ripe when the skin is smooth and taut, and the fruit is soft around the stem. Nashi can be eaten raw or cooked. When eaten raw, it is pleasant to bite into with the skin, which sets it apart from other fruits. It is appreciated in jams, pastries (pies, crumbles, etc.), and desserts where it pairs well with chocolate or rhubarb or with panna cotta, not to mention fruit salads. It is important to pick the fruits when they are ripe, as they do not ripen further after harvest.

Rich in water, nashi is refreshing and thirst-quenching. Its fleshy texture provides a great feeling of satiety. Low in calories, it is rich in potassium and magnesium, with a significant copper content. Its content of vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and fiber make the Japanese pear a health asset. It is invigorating, energizing, and rehydrating. The fruits can be stored for a few weeks to 3 months after harvest. Storage can be done in a cool, clean place, protected from light, at a temperature of around 8 to 10°C or in a cold room, sealed from outside air, at a temperature of 1 to 3°C.

In the Nashi category, the resistant Nashi Niitaka is a variety that is resistant to diseases. To obtain high-quality fruits, it is necessary to thin out the fruits on the tree. Pruning for better air circulation, by removing some branches in the center of the tree, will provide light and give the fruits a beautiful color. This will also limit the occurrence of diseases. Appreciated for its fruit qualities, it is also decorative due to the elegance of its habit and surprising due to the autumn colors of its foliage, making it a real asset in the garden. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your preferences.