When do Korla fragrant pears normally ripen?

Korla fragrant pears ripen in mid-to-late September. The Korla fragrant pear has a round-oval or spindle-shaped fruit, a yellow-green skin with striped dark red blush on the sun-facing side, and white flesh. Because of its pleasing color, sweet and smooth taste, rich fragrance, thin skin and fine flesh, crisp and refreshing texture, abundant juice and few grit cells, flesh that breaks when dropped and melts in the mouth, long storage life, and rich nutrition, it is known as the “treasure of pears” and the “prince of fruits”.

The Korla fragrant pear is a specialty of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and a product protected by China's national geographical indication. On December 13, 2004, the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of protection of origin for “Korla fragrant pear”. The area of origin protection for the Korla fragrant pear covers the administrative areas currently under the jurisdiction of Korla City, Aksu City, Aral City, Yuli County, Luntai County, Kuqa County, Xayar County, Xinhe County, Awat County, and Wensu County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, comprising 3 cities and 7 counties.

Korla is under the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang and lies at the throat of the middle route of the ancient Silk Road. It is known as the “Pear City” for its abundant pears that are “thin-skinned and full-fleshed, with a fine heart, sweet and full of juice, melting in the mouth”. The Korla fragrant pear is a pear variety unique to Xinjiang. Not only is its quality excellent, but the pear trees are also long-lived, and century-old trees are not uncommon.