Pears

Juicy and sweet, with a soft, buttery yet somewhat grainy texture, the white to cream-colored flesh of pears was once referred to as the "gift of the gods" by Homer in his epic, The Odyssey.

Although the season for pears runs from August through October, there is a variety of pear available year-round because of the seasonal variations among the different varieties.

Early colonists to America brought pears with them from their respective home land, and while the first pear tree was planted in 1620, much of their pear supply was still imported from France. Like many other fruit trees, pears were introduced into California and Mexico by missionaries who planted them in their mission gardens.

Choose pears that have unbroken skin. Pears should firm or yield slightly to the touch. Wash pears carefully in cool water before using. Use pears in stuffing for pork and poultry, or in fruit salad. Use sliced pears to garnish an entree. Softer pears are good for snacking while a firmer pear can be used in baking and cooking. An overripe pear can be used as the base for a blended drink. A slightly underripe pear is perfect for poaching or baking.

To help sliced pears retain their color, dip them into a mixture of one tablespoon lemon juice and one cup water.

Most pears are not ready to eat when purchased, but must ripen a few days at home. Store firm pears in a brown paper bag to speed up the ripening process. If desired (and not in a hurry), you can simply leave pears out for a few days - just make sure they're kept at room temperature to ripen. Ripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Storing pears in sealed plastic bags or restricted spaces where they are in too close together should be avoided. Pears should also be stored away from other strong smelling foods, whether on the countertop on in the refrigerator, as they tend to absorb smells.

Pears and Weightloss

Pack your fruit bowl with pears if you want to lose weight, reports a study out of the University of Rio de Janeiro. In the study, which was published in the journal of Nutrition, women who ate three pears a day consumed fewer total daily calories and lost more weight than those who did not. Pears are rich in fiber (one pear packs 15 percent of your daily recommended amount), and thus, pears should help you feel full and keep you from over-eating. Suggestion for adding pears to your diet: Eat a pear before a meal to help curb hunger. Ditch the peeler, though; most of the fruit's beneficial fiber is in the skin.

Research conducted at the University of Innsbruck in Austria suggests that as fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase.

Pear

Pears Nutritional Facts:

  • Low fat
  • Saturated fat-free
  • Sodium-free
  • Cholesterol-free
  • A good source of fiber
  • A good source of vitamin C

Pears are also a pretty good source of copper, and vitamin K.

Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestions:  Serve sliced pears with cheese for an elegant dessert, or add slices to sandwiches or salads for a sweet, crisp kick. For cooking, it is best to choose pears that are a bit firm.

Combine pears with mustard greens, watercress, leeks and walnuts for a delicious salad or serve pears with goat or bleu cheese for a delightful dessert. Core pears, and poach in apple juice or wine.

Low Calorie Sweet Treat: Cut a fiber-rich pear in half and roast it in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes; drizzle on your favorite dessert wine or dark chocolate syrup and top it with some chopped toasted hazelnuts.

Are Pears Non-Allergenic?

Although not well documented in scientific research, pears are often recommended by healthcare practitioners as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Particularly in the introduction of first fruits to infants, pear is often recommended as a safe way to start.

Pesticide Note

According to the Environmental Working Group's 2009 report "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides," pears are among the 12 foods on which pesticide residues have been most frequently found. Therefore, to avoid pesticide-associated health risks, purchase organically grown pears.

See also: Peach, Pear, Persimmon and Pineapple Food Facts

Printable Recipe

Pear and Apple Dish

See also:
Pears and Raspberry Jam
Pear Bundt Cake
Pear and Apple Saute
Apple Pear Salsa
Pear and Apple Sauce

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