Pears

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Juicy and sweet, with a soft oily and somewhat grainy texture, the white to cream-colored inside of the pears was once called the "gift of the gods." Although pear season be from the beginning of August to the end of October, its various varieties can be seen all year round.

Pears, along with apples and quinces, are a member of the rose family. Depending on their type, their paper-thin bark can be yellow, green, brown, red, or a combination of two or more colors. Like apples, they have a core in which several seeds can be housed.

Origin of pears

Pears are a delicious fruit, similar to apples and quinces. There are thousands of species that differ in taste, shape, color and method of storage. The most common varieties are Anjou, Bartlett, Bosque and Conference.

The scientific name of the pear is Pyrus communis.

When we talk about the origin of the pear we must mention two different versions. According to some sources, this fruit was grown 3000 years ago in West Asia, while according to others it dates back to the Stone Age. Putting that aside, the pear has been the most preferred fruit for centuries.

Interestingly, until the 18th century. the pear did not have at all today's taste. It was at this time that more attention was paid to its cultivation and this is how today's pear with its strongly oily texture and sweet taste came about.

Today the main countries growing pears, are China, Italy and the United States.

Composition of pears

Pears are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, honey and vitamin K. Vitamin C stimulates white blood cells to fight infections by directly killing many bacteria and viruses, and regenerates vitamin E. By taking one juicy pear a dayYou will also take 11.1% of the daily value of vitamin C, and 9.5% of the daily value of honey.

100 g of pears contain 94 g of water, 11.4 g of carbohydrates, 0.1 g of fat, 0.6 g of pectin, 2.3 g of fiber and 0.4 g of protein.

Green pears contain the substance sorbitol, which is converted into glucose and pectin during the ripening process. In general, fresh pears are a kind of cocktail of useful substances. They are rich in organic acids / malic, citric, oxalic / and a number of trace elements - magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and phosphorus.

Pears contain and iodine, which is sufficient to meet the body's needs for this element. The slightly astringent taste of the fruit is due to the tannins found in its peel. The specific aroma is determined by the essential oils contained in the flesh of the pear.

Use of pears in medicine

Many active substances can be extracted from the fruit, which are then used in the production of a number of drugs. For example, pears are rich in arbutinwhich has excellent antiseptic properties and this substance is very useful in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.

A number of studies have shown that pears have a very positive effect and the heart. The extract of this fruit is often used in cosmetology, as it helps reduce oiliness of the skin, shrinks pores and enriches it with vitamins.

Fresh or baked pears have a mild laxative effect. They also supply the body with the necessary dietary fiber, which in turn leads to the normalization of stool. Modern research proves that regular consumption of pear puree helps to normalize bowel function and relieves chronic constipation due to poor peristalsis.

Can we freeze pears?

Yes, they can be frozen whole or cut into pieces. It is enough to wash the fruits well, wipe and dry them with a towel, and then freeze them in a form convenient for you. However, we advise you to put them in separate containers or vacuum bags so that they do not absorb other aromas in your freezer. You can store them for up to a year.

The most important point in this case is thawing of pears. Ideally, it is good to take them out 1-2 hours before consumption and put them on the bottom shelf in your refrigerator. This way the pears will thaw slowly, which in turn will not disturb their shape and structure.

Selection and storage of pears

Since the pear is a rather perishable fruit, it is almost certain that those you see in stores will not be fully ripe. They should be left at room temperature until fully ripe. At this point, shortly before they reach the point of deterioration, they will have the highest level of antioxidants.

If you want to speed up the ripening process, put them in paper bags or newspapers and turn them periodically. Storing them in plastic bags is undesirable, as they will spoil very quickly. This is only necessary if you want to store them in the refrigerator for a longer time.

Culinary use of pears

- Pears should be very well washed, as it is most useful to take whole with the bark, due to the fibers contained in it.

"If the pear is sliced, it will turn brown quickly." If you want to avoid this process, spray it lightly with lemon or orange juice.

- As part of the desired salad, almost all "greens", leeks and walnuts are suitable for the pear.

- Serve the pears with goat or blue cheese as a dessert.

- Add sliced pears, ginger and honey to your oatmeal breakfast.

- Pears are a suitable addition to apple juice or wine.

They can be used to prepare both desserts and to be an important ingredient in main dishes, such as goose liver with caramelized pears. Everything here largely depends on your imagination and how far you are willing to experiment in the kitchen. The uniqueness of pears is that with their help you can create real culinary masterpieces with pears, such as:

1. Pear jam;

2. Pear compote;

3. Poached pears;

4. Pear cider;

5. Salads with pears;

6. Smoothies with pears;

7. Pie with pears.

Benefits of eating pears

The fiber contained in pears lowers high cholesterol levels, which is extremely good news for people at risk of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Fiber also binds to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon, protecting its cells from damage. Perhaps that is why diets related to high-fiber foods are associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.

Fruit, rich in fiber, has been shown to prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Such fruits are apples, plums and pears.

Pears are also considered a fruit that is not characterized by the development of allergies. When introducing fruit to babies, this fruit is the recommended start.

Studies show that antioxidant vitamins A, C and E are extremely important for the proper functioning of our eyes, which means that a pear added to milk or breakfast cereals will certainly have a beneficial effect.