December has been proclaimed National Pear Month by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a celebration of the abundance of ten variety of U.S. pears available nationwide.

Nutrition

  • Pears are a great source of fiber (6 grams) and a good source of vitamin C (10% DV) for only 100 calories per medium pear.
  • Having no fat, no sodium, and no cholesterol, pear is a great choice for a snack or as an addition to any meal.
  • ⚠️ Pear is on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends buying organic pears.

Picking & Storage

  • Choose pears that are firm to touch. Check the neck of the pear (the area near the stem) for ripeness — it is ripe if it yields to pressure.
  • Pears ripen at room temperature. If you want to store it for longer, keep it in a dark and cold place.
  • To prevent cut pears from browning, brush or dip them in lemon juice or soak them in salt water.

Did you know?

  • There are over 3000 varieties of pears grown worldwide.
  • With overlapping seasonalities, different varieties of USA-grown pears are available year-round!
  • Pears makes a great baby food because they are low in acid and gentle on a baby’s digestive system.
  • Most pears (about 84%) in the U.S. are grown in Oregon and Washington.
  • Pears ripen best off the tree, so don’t worry if the ones you find at grocery stores are still hard and green!

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