Pears, as many other fruits, first grew wild in prehistoric areas of both Central Asia and Europe. Pears were also one of the first fruits cultivated by American colonists. These were European pears of several varieties. Today most commercial pears are grown in Washington, Oregon or California.
Bosc, d’Anjou and Comice are winter pear varieties that need a cold climate, are harvested green and then are stored to finish ripening. Summer pears like Bartlett or Asian varieties ripen without storage and are popular in backyards throughout the south. Bartletts have more of a bell shape. Asian pears have more of an apple shape and are crisp and sweet. No matter what variety, there is a pear to sweeten up your fall.
Peak Time: August to October (harvest for summer and winter pears)
Average Price: $1.52 per pound
Tips for Selection and Storage: Most pears are picked while still green and immature. They are one of the few fruits that ripen best when off the tree. Asian pears, however, ripen on the tree and change from green to yellow. Most pears will still be hard when purchased but will ripen well on the counter at home.
The best indicator of ripeness in a pear is not a change in color but a change in texture. They are ready to eat when slightly soft at the stem end. Choose pears that are well shaped and without soft spots or bruises. Some pears will have surface blemishes such as slight scars or other surface marks — these do not affect the quality of the fruit. Avoid purchasing soft fruit unless it is to be used within two or three days.
Pears may be stored in a paper bag at room temperature until they give in a little to pressure. For a hard pear, this may take up to a week. When ripe, the pears will have a rich aroma. Ripe pears may be refrigerated up to 3 or 4 days. One pound of pears will yield about two cups of sliced fruit.
Tips for Preparation: To prepare fruit for eating or cooking, simply wash and/or brush lightly with a vegetable brush. There is no need to peel. Bosc and Asian pears are crisp and are excellent choices for salads. These two varieties as well as Bartlett and d’Anjou hold their shape in cooking. Remember that pear slices will darken when exposed to air. They can be protected by coating with orange or lemon juice.
Pears are an excellent appetizer or dessert choice with cheese. Pears may be baked, grilled, roasted, poached, or sautéed. Pear preserve recipes are handed down from generation to generation in the south.
Nutritional Highlights: All pears are excellent sources of dietary fiber, with about 6 grams/serving. However, Asian pears have the most with 9.9 grams per serving. Pears are a good source of potassium, copper, phosphorous, vitamin C and vitamin K. Much of the phytonutrient antioxidant content of pears are in the peel or just under the peel including lutein and zeaxanthin. Red pears will have the most phytonutrient content. Pears contain about 86 calories per medium sized pear and about 100 calories per cup. Combined with a protein source like peanut butter or cheese, pears are an excellent snack!
