Pears belong to the same family as many other fruits like apples, cherries, peaches and plums. Most pears sold in the U.S. have a specific ‘pear’ shape, with a round body that tapers up to a thinner, longer neck. Pears can be green, red, gold, yellow, and brown. Unlike other fruits, most types of pear do not change color as they ripen which can make it challenging to determine when they are ripe and when they are not.
To help you become better acquainted with this tasty fruit, here are the varieties you are most likely to encounter in the store.
Bartlett
If you are eating a pear, it is very likely a Bartlett pear. These yellow and green pears are the best known and most common type of pear in the U.S. They are also the pear generally used in canned pears.
Bosc
Although not as popular as the Bartlett, the Bosc pear is also well-known. It has a cinnamon brown skin and a flavor reminiscent of honey.
Anjou
Also well known, Anjou pears can be red or green. They have a shorter neck that other kinds of pear and often show up in sweet desserts.
Celebrate the sweetness of pears this month with these fantastic recipes.
- Apple Pear Salad
- Beet and Pear Puree
- Vanilla Poached Pears
- Pear Sauce
- Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza
- Farmer’s Favorite Salad
- Gingered Pears and Parsnips
- Curried Butternut Squash and Pear Soup
- Pear and Fennel Salad
- Pear Bread
- Orange Cranberry Pear Relish
- Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets
- Roasted Baby Pears with Herbed Goat Cheese
- Pear Honey Cranberry Sauce
- Celery Root and Pear Puree
- Roasted Pears with Caramel Sauce
- Bacon and Pear Bites
- Spiced Pear and Pomegranate
- Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake
- Prosciutto, Caramelized Pears, and Walnut Salad
- Pear Crisp
- Balsamic Pear, Chicken, and Asparagus
- Pear Spice Twists
- Arugula and Pear Salad
- Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole
- Roasted Pears with Bleu Cheese
- Maple Pears
- Fall Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette
- Pear Ginger Crumble
- Cranberry Pecan Pear Pie
- Autumn Fruit Tarts
- Chicken Fried Pork Chops with Pear Chutney
- Pecan Pear Torte
- Gorgonzola Pear Pasta
- Almond Pear Torte
- Cinnamon Pear Frozen Yogurt
- Baked Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Pears
- Pork Roast with Pears and Rosemary
- Spiced Pear and Apple Pie
- Winter Bread Pudding with Dried Pears
- Pear Risotto with Prosciutto and Fried Sage Leaves
- Ham and Pear Panini
- Pork Medallions with Pears and Spaghetti Squash
- Pear and Ginger Cheesecake
- Sweet Potatoes with Pears
- Pear and Fig Green Salad
- Chicken Thighs with Pear Leek Sauce
- Spinach, Pear, and Feta Salad
- Roasted Chicken with Bourbon Pear Butter Glaze
- Pear Bleu Cheese Flatbread
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