Pear

Pear season

The pear season begins in late summer and lasts all winter.

Nutritional value of pears

Very rich in water, the pear is a fruit with a moderate calorie count and is a delicious, light desert or snack: an average 180 gramme pear contains no more than 85 kilocalories. It is also rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium. It also contains vitamins C and E and folic acid.

Pear varieties

Among the 1,000 varieties, only a few are found on the market. They can be classified into three categories:

• summer pears (the Williams pear);
• autumn pears (Conference, Beurré-Hardy, Comice…);
• winter pears (Passe-Crassane).

Storing pears

Placed in a fruit bowl, pears ripen at room temperature. If they are purchased " ready to eat", place them in the vegetable crisper to extend their life by a few days.

Eaten plain, poached, sweet or savoury, pears are always tasty.