Pears are picked firm and bruise easily, so it’s hard to come by a perfect ripe pear. They are picked green because they turn mealy if left to ripen on the tree. Although pears can be found in the supermarkets year-round, they reach their peak in the fall. They’re best left to ripen at room temperature until the flesh gives slightly near the stem. The best pears have a sweet, fruity fragrance.
The pear is an ancient fruit, with a history that predates Christianity by 2 millenniums. Grafting methods have been used to develop over 5,000 varieties, with some 1,000 in the U.S. Pears, by most people’s standards, are often best when simply prepared or eaten out of hand.
Recipe: Pear Salad with Fennel, Fresh Walnuts, and Balsamic
Tip: The 98 calories contained in a pear are made up of 98 percent carbohydrates, making it an excellent source of both dietary and crude fiber. Pears are also rich in potassium and Vitamin C.
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