Nijiseiki Asian Pear

Discovered 1888 by 13-year-old Kakunosuke Matsudo in Yatsuhashira, Japan (now Matsudo City). Like other Asian Pears, this variety has white spring blooms with red-orange fall foliage. 

Medium-large round fruit, smooth yellowish-green skin. Crisp, firm white flesh, mildly sweet with good balance of sweetness and tartness. Ripens late August to early September, stores 5-6 months. Self-fruitful but benefits from cross-pollination with Shinseiki, Bartlett, or Hosui.

Originally named Shin Daihaku, renamed "20th Century" (Nijiseiki) in 1904 by magazine editor Torajiro Watase. Most planted variety in Japan during peak (1972-1988), reaching over 6,000 hectares.