by Michaela Rinkel
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Pears are in abundance at the moment, but did you know they have therapeutic properties according to Chinese Medicine?
Pears are considered a valuable winter fruit that can support health during the colder months in numerous ways.
How pears can support health:
● Moistens the Lungs: I have been seeing a lot of dry, lingering coughs in the clinic this season, and in Chinese Medicine, pears are valued for their ability to nourish and moisten the lungs. This means they are particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing dryness-related respiratory symptoms such as coughs or sore throats.
● Clears Heat: Pears are also believed to have a gently cooling effect on the body, making them useful in reducing heat in the body which can accumulate when an illness remains unresolved.
● Aids Digestion: The fiber content in pears supports digestive health by promoting bowel regularity and preventing constipation. The lung and large intestine are closely connected in Chinese medicine, and this fruit benefits both of these organs.
● Promotes Yin: Pears are classified as a yin-nourishing food, helping to balance the body's yin and yang energies. This is helpful in conditions where dryness is predominant - dry skin, dry cough, thirst etc.
Recipe: Poached Pears in Chinese Herbal Syrup
This recipe balances the cooling, moistening nature of the pears with warming, invigorating spices, making it perfect for supporting the lungs through winter.
Ingredients:
● 4 ripe pears, peeled but with stems intact
● 4 cups water
● Honey to taste
● 2 slices fresh ginger
● 1 cinnamon stick
● Optional: 2-3 pieces dried tangerine peel (chen pi), 3-4 dried red dates/jujubes (da zao)
Instructions:
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1. Prepare the Pears: Peel the pears, leaving the stems and core intact.
2. Make the Herbal Syrup: In a pot, combine water, honey, ginger slices, cinnamon stick, and dried tangerine peel. Add any optional ingredients such as tangerine peel or red dates for additional flavor.
3. Poach the Pears: Bring the syrup to a boil, stirring until the honey dissolves. Carefully place the peeled pears into the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the syrup.
4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the pears simmer gently for about 20-30 minutes, or until the pears are tender but still hold their shape. Turn the pears occasionally to ensure even cooking and absorption of flavors.
5. Serve: Once cooked, remove the pears from the syrup and allow them to cool slightly. Enjoy the warm pears, drizzled with some of the herbal syrup from the pot.
Asian pears have many names, usually based on the region of harvest, but globally they are commonly called the nashi pear. Nashi, 梨, literally means “pear” in Japanese! Many people in Asian counties use these pears as gifts or serve it to guests. During the Edo Period in Japan, they were thought to ward off evil and misfortune and were planted near gates and corners of properties. In South Korea, they even have a museum dedicated to the Asian pear called The Naju Pear Museum!
Varieties
Asian pears are native to China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. They are now cultivated in many East Asian countries, Australia, Greece, and parts of California and Washington. The most commonly grown in the US is the Japanese variety, and are a round shape like an apple. The less commonly grown Asian pear is the Chinese variety and it is by far the best tasting of all the Asian pears! The Chinese pear is shaped more like a traditional pear, but has creamy white-colored flesh and is VERY juicy! It can sometimes be found in Asian Markets in the US. Asian pears are classified into two groups. Most belonging to the Akanashi (‘Russet pears’) group, and have yellowish-brown rinds. While the others belong to the Aonashi (‘Green pears’) group and have yellow-green rinds.
Depending on where you live Asian Pears are available from early July until winter and their peak time will be between September and October.
How to Choose and Store
When picking your Asian pears look for ones that are very fragrant and unbruised, with little to no brown spots. Always be careful when handling, as Asian pears are very fragile and can bruise easily! Unlike traditional pears, Asian pears are actually hard and do not soften because they are harvested ripe. Therefore they should be fairly firm when gently squeezed.
Since they are harvested ripe, they have a longer shelf life than other pears. They will stay fresh for about 1 week at room temperature or up to 3 months stored in the fridge!
Nutrition
Asian pears are a good source of essential vitamins, particularly vitamins C and vitamin K. Vitamin C has two main functions in the body; it helps make collagen, a protein that keeps your bones from being too brittle, and has antioxidant functions to keep your tissues healthy. Vitamin K also has two main functions; it ensures that you can form blood clots and it allows your body to make proteins needed for bone mineralization. Asian pears are also a good source of the minerals copper and manganese. Both minerals help support body functions by helping your cells produce energy, and they also help with tissue health by playing a role in collagen synthesis and maturation. Manganese also keeps your bones healthy, while copper nourishes the brain.
Energetics
Asian pears are cool in temperature and have a sweet and slightly sour flavor. In general, pears have a positive effect on the Lungs, as they help to cool any signs of Lung heat, stops coughing, and promote healthy moistness while expelling pathogenic mucus. Pears also help to soothe and moisten a dry throat and other signs of dryness throughout the body. Their coolness helps to quench thirst from heat conditions. They have also been used in the treatment of skin injuries or disorders, constipation from heat, loss of voice, and even inflammation of the gallbladder.
Caution: People with poor digestion from deficiency should not consume pears, as their cold nature can further damage their digestive function.
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