Anyway, mine fruited this year. The fruit is large with a tear-drop shape. It started out green, but as it matured it began to russet. It now has a russet coat with splotches of green showing. It looks nothing like the photos on the sellers' websites.

A few days ago, I was looking over the asian pear selections at Raintree Nursery. One of the pears looked nearly exactly like my "Drippin' Honey". It was the Mishirasu pear, which I had never heard of before. I searched for other photos and came across more photos at Harman's Fruits (pic below is from http://www.hartmannursery.com/). The pics there match my fruit almost exactly. The DH and Mishirasu fruit have the same unique shape that I haven't see in asian pears before, and the same russet pattern.

So, even though I can't be 100% certain, I believe I've solved the mystery of the "Drippin' Honey" asian pear. I thought I'd post this info as I know that some others here also have this pear. The descriptions that I've read do make it sound like a very good pear.

My Mishirasu Asian pear fruit stays green until mid September then turn russet. Weighing around a pound a piece. Intensely sweet and crisp. The two in my hand are Mishirasu and the rest are Shinseiki.

Tony

So far this year its been lots of stinkbugs on the asian pears. The later ones will be better, the stinkers greatly prefer the earlier varieties for some reason.

Scott

Tony, mine started to russet a few weeks ago. I suspect they start sooner here due to the warmer climate. Do yours have that tear-drop shape (hard to tell in the photos)? The flavor you describe sounds appealing.

Apple, yes, I think mine started to russet much sooner due to the warmer climate here. I suspect Tony's also has the same shape, it's just hard to tell due to the angle that he's holding them. The photo I posted is from Hartman's, but my fruit looks identical.

Scott, I'd like to hear your comparisons once they both fruit. As far as the stinkbugs, I thought the severe cold from this past winter would have put a dent in their numbers. I guess not.

Of course, it could be that when someone orders a "Drippin' Honey", the online sellers just send out whatever asian pear they have on hand. And, they can charge a premium because they are offering a "unique" fruit which no one else has, or so they make you think.

It has that tear drop shape. They are a keeper.

Here are more infos of origin. "Mishirazu. Origin: May trace back to seed from China. Found in Hokkaido about 1887 where it was originally called Iida Nashi. Tested in Aomori testing center beginning in 1933. In 1956 this was the main cultivar grown in Hokkaido and occupied 63% of production. Named 'Mishirazu' by Dr. Hoshino. Fruit ripens in same period as Taihaku. Has been used in breeding and is a parent of Kitahoshi (Misharazu x Nijisseiki), Hokuto (Mijisseiki x Mishirazu), Hatsuhi (Chojuro x Mishirazu) and Amatama (Chojuro x Mishizaru). -- from I.Kajiura & Y.Sato. 1990. Recent progress in Japanese pear breeding and descriptions of cultivars based on literature review. Bulletin of the Fruit Tree Research Station (translated from Japanese by S. Wada, 12/2007)".

Tony

I'm going to try the pear near the end of this week, and will give a report on the flavor. It may be a little early, as I've read that the usual ripening time is mid September. However, we're going on vacation and I want to try it before we leave. Hopefully, because of my warmer climate, they ripen a little earlier here, anyway. I'll post a follow up and a pic.

Below is a pick of the pear next to a small Liberty apple.