A refractometer was used to measure the sugar content of the pears. Based on the measurements, pears from the Taicang Modern Agriculture Park were rated as the sweetest, with their average sugar content of pears reaching 14.15 percent.

A refractometer is used to measure the sugar content of the pears at the competition in Taicang, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: taicangdaily]

The determination of the king of pear depended on the comprehensive evaluation of the sugar content, appearance, shape, and taste. After much deliberation, pears from the ecological garden of Fuqiao town, with a total score of 459, were ultimately awarded the prize of the "King of Pear".

In recent years, Taicang has seen rapid development in pear growing. Dianzhan village in Taicang is recognized as a national demonstration village for its tasty pears by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

At present, the city is home to more than 1,200 mu (80 hectares) of pear trees, with a total annual production of more than 800 tons.