Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month – April 2024

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month is celebrated every year in April and shines some much-deserved light on these underappreciated heroes of the fruit world. We all know oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and mangoes. They are great, but what about the others? How long will we let this tyranny of the popular fruits continue? The apples and bananas of the world have had their fair share of time in the limelight, now it’s time for lesser-known fruits like tomatillos and Asian pears to take over the world! Not only are these fruits delicious, but they’re also extremely healthy. What are you waiting for? Go tomatillo and Asian pear shopping now!

History of Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month

First things first: what exactly is a tomatillo? The fruit is also called Mexican ground cherry or Mexican husk tomato and is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a green tomato-like fruit covered in a papery husk and has a tart, bright, and almost citrusy taste.

Tomatillo is considered to have been first domesticated by the Aztecs in central Mexico around 2,800 years ago and was an important food crop to many pre-Columbian people in Mesoamerica, including the Mayans. During the Spanish conquests of Mexico and Central America in the 16th and 17th centuries, the plant was taken back to Spain. It proved to be less popular than the related tomato and did not sustain in the region. Today, most commercial production comes from Mexico and Guatemala, though the plant is also grown in certain parts of the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

The Asian pears, on the other hand, are thought to have originated in China and Japan. They have grown in these nations and some other Asian countries for at least 3000 years. Some records indicate that Chinese immigrants introduced Asian pears to the west coast of the United States during the 1800s. No wonder then, that the largest concentration of present commercial production of these fruits is in California and Oregon.

The fruit has a crisp and juicy texture along with an apple-like flavor, leading many people to refer to this fruit as the apple-pear, even though the Asian pear has nothing to do with apples.

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month timeline

2000 B.C.
Asian Pears Go A Long Way Back

The fruit is cultivated in China, Japan, and some other Asian countries.

800 B.C.
An Important Food in Central America

Tomatillo is first grown by the Aztecs in Central Mexico where it is an important food crop for the pre-Columbian people.

1500—1600s
Tomatillos are Taken to Spain

The fruit is taken to Spain during the Spanish conquests of Central America and Mexico but does not gain much popularity.

1820
Asian Pears Arrive in America

Asian pears first arrive in North America in Queens and quickly become valuable for their ability to resist fire blight disease.

1950s
Tomatillos Come to India

Tomatillos are introduced to India, where the fruit is quickly incorporated into traditional dishes and is now locally cultivated.

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month FAQs

Are tomatillos and tomatoes the same?

Tomatillos are a member of the nightshade family, along with tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. However, green tomatoes are hard, unripe tomatoes that can come from any type of tomato. Tomatillos are not tomatoes, but the fruit of a different plant, which are also covered with papery husks.

How are Asian pears different from pears?

Asian pears are vastly different from the old, hard, European varieties like Keiffer and Seckel. Asian pears have a distinct flavor yet taste pear-like, as well as a crisp texture, much like a nice apple.

Does Asian pear tenderize meat?

Asian pears are a common ingredient in Korean barbecue marinades as they contain enzymes that can tenderize meat. The powerful fruit enzyme called calpain snips the meat’s protein strands into smaller pieces that yield a mushy effect.

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month Activities

  1. Eat some tomatillos and Asian pears

    Go to a market where these fruits might be available or order them online so you can taste the divinity for yourself. You’re in for a real treat if you’ve never tried them. These fruits are yummy on their own and can be eaten raw as well. But remember to eat only ripe tomatillos and clean out the husk properly as they can be poisonous.

  2. Cook with these fresh fruits

    Look up some recipes (you’ll find many!) that incorporate tomatillos and Asian pears and get cooking! Tomatillos gain a warmer, sweeter, and earthier flavor when cooked, while Asian pears can be roasted, baked, or steamed and are often used in desserts.

  3. Treat your friends

    Call your friends over and cook up a storm with these fruits! You can serve tomatillos as salsa verde, soup, or as a side dish, all of which will only take a few minutes. For dessert, serve some Asian pear crisp, steamed Asian pears with dates and honey, or Asian pear cake.

5 Facts About Tomatillos And Asian Pears That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. They can be pretty to look at

    A tomatillo’s husk must be removed before preparing, but tomatillos in the husk are often used as decoration.

  2. They’re used in Chinese medicine

    Traditional Chinese medicine considers the Asian pear to be a cure for coughs and bronchial ailments.

  3. They might help with hangovers

    Some people believe that eating an Asian pear or having its juice before a night of drinking will counteract a hangover the next day.

  4. Some parts of tomatillos are poisonous

    Unripe tomatillos and the husk and calyx of the fruit are toxic and should not be eaten.

  5. Tomatillo means little tomato

    The name tomatillo, which means ‘little tomato’ in Spanish, originates from the Nahuatl word ‘tomatl.’

Why We Love Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month

  1. They’re healthy

    Tomatillos are rich in fiber, low in calories, and contain the all-important Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and niacin. They also have zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which are necessary for healthy eyes. The Asian pear is a great source of dietary fiber, especially if you eat the skin. It’s also a good source of potassium, Vitamin K, copper, and Vitamin C.

  2. They have many uses

    Although tomatillos are primarily used to make salsa verde, they can also be used in stews, sauces, soups, salads, curries, stir-fries, baking, meats, marmalade, and desserts. An Asian pear can be eaten as a raw snack, with salads and a cheese plate, in smoothies or juices, or baked into tarts and pies. They can even be eaten as chips!

  3. It’s a day to try new fruits

    Aren’t you tired of eating the same old fruits every day? We know we are! While the classics are great, it doesn’t hurt to try out some new fruits now and then. Eat a tomatillo and an Asian pear today and who knows, you might be enjoying a durian tomorrow!

Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
White House Easter Egg Roll
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.