Fascinating Facts - Pears
- Pears like apples are members of the rose family.
- Pears rank second to the apple as the most popular US fruit.
- Pears are high in fiber, potassium and Vitamin C.
- As pears ripen, the starch converts to sugar and the fruit becomes sweeter, juicier, and softer with an almost melting texture that led Europeans to nickname some of the varieties "butter fruit."
- One distinct feature of the pear besides the shape is the soft texture. This soft texture is the result of the starch converting to sugar after being picked from a tree to ripen.
- Carbohydrates make up 98% of the energy provided by a pear. Carbohydrates are helpful in weight reduction diets, since they contain half as many calories as fat.
- Pears provide a natural quick source of energy, due largely to high amounts of two monosaccharides: fructose and glucose.
- One medium size pear is about 98 calories.
- There are several varieties of pair including Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Forelle, and Seckel. These fruits have a sweet, rich flavor and come in a variety of colors including green, golden yellow and red. Among these varieties there are only subtle differences in flavor and texture.
- There's no need to peel a pear because their tender, edible skin is an additional source of fiber.