Pear

Description

Pear is a juicy fruit with a characteristic pear shape and a thin skin in shades of green, yellow, red, or brown, often with delicate speckles; the flesh can be creamy and buttery or slightly grainy, sweet-tart with a subtle floral note. It naturally encourages eating raw, but it also pairs well in warm dishes. The nutritional values of pears include dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, small amounts of vitamin K and copper, and antioxidants, which support digestion, weight control, blood pressure regulation, and heart health. In the kitchen, it complements salads, blue cheeses, desserts, baked goods, preserves, and meat dishes such as roasted pork; it is excellent for stewing and pickling. For storage, it is best to ripen at room temperature, and once ripe, refrigerate away from strong ethylene emitters, in a loose package.