Korean Giant Asian Pear is a vigorous, winter-hardy tree that produces massive fruit weighing up to a pound each, with olive-green skin and exceptional crispness. Hardy in zones 5-9, this heirloom variety blooms early and ripens in mid-October, bearing heavy crops at a young age. The fruit is remarkably juicy with high sugar content and stores exceptionally well in cold storage until March, making it one of the most practical pears for home growers who want both exceptional flavor and extended harvest windows.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
264in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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A pound-weight pear with crisp, juicy flesh and high sugar content sounds almost too good to be true, yet Korean Giant delivers on both counts. The tree fruits young and generously, rewarding patient growers with heavy annual crops. Its ability to store in cold conditions until March transforms a brief autumn harvest into months of eating, and the variety's proven winter hardiness means gardeners in zones 5-9 can reliably grow something typically associated with milder climates.
Korean Giant Asian Pears are eaten fresh and should be refrigerated before eating to bring out their crisp texture. The large size and exceptional juiciness make them conversation-starting additions to fruit platters. Their storage capability means you can enjoy them fresh months after harvest, extending the pear season well into winter.
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Transplant trees to their permanent location in early spring or fall, choosing a site with full sun exposure. Space trees at least 14-22 feet apart to accommodate mature width. Ensure soil drains adequately and pH falls within 6.0-7.5.
Korean Giant ripens in mid-October. Harvest fruit when it reaches full size (up to one pound each) and the skin develops its characteristic olive-green color. The fruit should be crisp and juicy at harvest time. For best eating quality, refrigerate fruit before consuming; this enhances crispness and brings out the variety's high sugar content. Harvested fruit stores well in cold storage until March.
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“Korean Giant, also known as Dan Bae or Olympic, carries the legacy of traditional Korean pear breeding into modern orchards. The variety emerged from decades of selection in Korea for large, flavorful fruit suited to cold climates, eventually reaching North American growers through nurseries specializing in hardy fruit trees. Its adoption among serious pear enthusiasts reflects a quiet revolution in home orcharding, where obscure Asian cultivars proved far more cold-tolerant and productive than many European varieties.”