September 10, 2024 by LittleJ

While many think about pears only at Christmas, when we sing the beloved “12 Days of Christmas” or, as with my family, when we received the gift delivery of a box of perfect Bartlett pears. In Ohio, however, fall is pear season and a great time to be thinking about what to do with all the pears readily available at the local farmers’ market, grocery store or even in our own back yard. 

With over 3000 varieties of pears cultivated worldwide, there is a pear for every taste and occasion.  According to USAPears.org, there are 10 varieties commonly grown in the United States, including those with very soft and juicy textures when ripe, such as the Bartlett or Starkrimson to those that have a crispness more like an apple, including the Seckel or Bosc pear. As a result, pears are very versatile and can be used in sweet dishes and savory dishes, from crisps to soups. In addition, they can be substituted for apples in most recipes, as they are similar in texture and size.

Not only are pears good tasting, but they are good for you, too. Pears provide a variety of health benefits, due to the vitamins & minerals, antioxidants and fiber they contain, and all with only about 100 calories. Here are a few ways pears help our health in addition to tickling our tastebuds:

  • Pears are a source of vitamins B6, C and K, as well as potassium. 
  • Pears are high in soluble fiber, in the form of pectin, and provide ¼ of our daily fiber needs in one serving.  Fiber is good for digestive health and helps lower cholesterol.
  • Pears are better for blood sugar.  Pears are considered a low glycemic food, which means eating them alone won’t cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, despite their sweet taste.  One study also found that participants decreased their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 3% with every serving of pears eaten per week.
  • Pears are good sources of 2 antioxidants:  Flavonoids and Anthocyanins which reduce inflammation and may lower risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, infections, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

There are many ways to enjoy pears, whole as a snack, chopped in a salad, baked into a bread or dessert, or made into pear butter or preserves. When selecting pears for purchase, keep in mind that pears do not ripen on the tree, so time should be allowed for storage at room temperature to allow for ripening/softening. Check the neck of the pear, near the stem, when it begins to “give” under the pressure of your thumb or finger, the pear is sweet and ready to eat. Ripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator to slow further ripening to prolong optimal texture for eating fresh. Be sure to wash the outside of the pear with clean water before eating or using in a recipe.

Try this PEARfically delicious apple crisp alternative – Roasted Pear Crumble from USAPears.org, made with oatmeal and served with lowfat yogurt.

Sources:

USAPears.org  website. Pear Bureau Northwest. https://usapears.org/pear-varieties/ and https://usapears.org/recipe/roasted-pear-crumble-honey-yogurt/.

5 Health Benefits of Pears.  Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials website. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-pears .   Published November 7, 2023.  

Author: Jennifer Little, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Hancock County

Reviewer: Megan Taylor, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H, Union County