Caojian Blackheart Pear

Caojian Blackheart Pear

　　In the Caojian area of Yunlong County, Dali Prefecture, there is a uniquely delicious sweet pear. The fruit is round with thin skin, deep yellow in color, and has thick, juicy flesh. What makes it special is that after the pears ripen, they are picked and kept warm under straw for over half a month. During this time, the pears naturally undergo a process of saccharification, becoming much sweeter. When cut open, the flesh inside turns completely jet black—hence the name “Blackheart Pear.” When eaten, it gives off a fragrant wine-like aroma, with a lusciously sweet and richly delicious taste, earning high praise locally and becoming a famous fruit specialty of the region. Each Blackheart Pear weighs about two to three taels, and each tree can yield several hundred pounds. During the pear harvest season, travelers passing through or visiting Caojian often enjoy buying them, and the local Bai people frequently give Blackheart Pears as gifts to family and friends.