Pears are one of the world’s oldest cultivated and beloved fruits. In 5,000 B.C., Feng Li, a Chinese diplomat, abandoned his responsibilities when he became consumed by grafting peaches, almonds, persimmons, pears, and apples as a commercial venture. In The Odyssey, the Greek poet laureate Homer lauds pears as a “gift of the gods.” Pomona, the goddess of fruit, was a cherished member of the Roman Pantheon and Roman farmers documented extensive pear growing and grafting techniques. Thanks to their versatility and long storage life, pears were a valuable and much-desired commodity among the trading routes of the ancient world. Evident in the works of Renaissance Masters, pears have long been an elegant still-life muse for artists. In the 17th century, a great flourishing of modern pear variety cultivation began taking place in Europe. In popular culture, the pear tree was immortalized alongside a partridge in the 18th-century Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas...

Early colonists brought the first pear trees to America’s eastern settlements where they thrived until crop blights proved too severe to sustain widespread cultivation. Fortunately, the pear trees brought west to Oregon and Washington by pioneers in the 1800s thrived in the unique agricultural conditions found in the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Northwest pear varieties are the same or similar to those first cultivated in France and Belgium where they were prized for their delicate flavor, buttery texture, and long storage life.

Benefits:

• Promotes digestive health and helps regulate bowel movements.

• Contains vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like flavonoids.

• It may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Helps reduce inflammation in the body.

• Supports immune function due to vitamin C content.

• High water content helps maintain hydration levels.

• Low in calories and fat, making it a satisfying, healthy snack.

Uses of pears:

• Eaten fresh as a snack

• Added to salads for sweetness and texture

• Used in smoothies and juices

• Incorporated into baked goods like pies and tarts

• Made into jams and preserves

• Dried for a healthy snack

• Used in savory dishes, such as salads or with cheese

• Added to yogurt or oatmeal for extra flavor

 Nutritional components of pears per 100 grams:

- Calories: 57

- Total Fat: 0.1 g

- Saturated Fat: 0 g

- Cholesterol: 0 mg

- Sodium: 1 mg

- Potassium: 116 mg

- Total Carbohydrate: 15 g

- Dietary Fiber: 3.1 g

- Sugar: 10 g

- Protein: 0.4 g

- Vitamin C: 7%

- Iron: 1%