All around the county, farmers are bringing in a variety of unique and/or heirloom apples and pears that just aren’t found in traditional markets. Hosui Asian pears are popular this time of year, said Packer, maybe because they travel well. Other fruit stand favorites are Tokyo Rose apples (an earlier variety — they have just one bin) and the ever-steady Bartlett, pictured above. Not pictured — because they aren’t ready yet — are Concord and Cascade (“a funky looking pear,” said Packer), two older varieties that cannot be found in grocery stores, and Arkansas Black and Winter Banana — both late apples — and Rome Beauty.
New attention for old varieties: Tammi Packer, owner of Packard Orchard and Bakery, said the valley’s hard cider industry has raised awareness and interest in old, unique apple varieties “especially in the last few years,” she said. “With the onset of hard cider, it’s made people more aware of the unique varieties available.”
Many heirlooms or hard-to-finds remain rare because, while delicious, they fall from the tree as soon as they are ripe, which makes them harder to efficiently harvest.
Asian pears are grown in paper bags to prevent over-exposure to sun. The Kosui Asian pear is grown only in Hood River County at Kiyokawa’s in Parkdale. Kosui bursts crunchily with ample juice carrying a potent floral flavor. “Divine,” said Mt. View’s Ruthie McAlexander, who urged us to go to Kiyokawa’s to have a taste.
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