The pear, native to eastern Europe and western Asia, It was one of the favorite fruits of the Persian kings and was later acclimatized in Greece, where the Romans became familiar with its cultivation.

It was they who spread it throughout the rest of Europe and introduced it to Spain through the Ebro basin. It was never missing from their banquets.

Currently, China leads world production followed by Italy and the US. Spain is among the large producers, especially of summer varieties. Furthermore, a good part of the production is destined for organic farming, high quality, for a market that continues to grow.

Pear properties

Its great juiciness makes it refreshing, useful for quenching thirst, and a good resource against the summer heat, especially if it is drunk in a smoothie.

It is a fruit very low in fat and protein, but it is a good source of energy thanks to its carbohydrates (10.6%). These are found in the form of simple sugars, mostly fructose, which is well tolerated by diabetic people.

Its vitamin content is not extraordinary, but it contains 3 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams and also vitamin E, traces of provitamin A and folic acid.

Health benefits of pear

The virtues of the pear can be listed saying that it is a diuretic, uricolytic (dissolves uric acid), cleansing, laxative, remineralizing, stomachic, astringent and sedative food.

So its use will be indicated above all in these cases: rheumatism, gout, arthritis, stress, anemia, diarrhea, obesity and high blood pressure.

• This fruit is a fast energy source. Most of its calories are found in the form of sugars, but due to the presence of levulose it is very well tolerated by diabetics.
• It is a fruit of easy and quick digestion when it is tender and ripe. Those who have a delicate digestive system can take it cooked. Thus, it loses, however, a large part of its vitamin content, although not the minerals and carbohydrates.
• The pear exerts a soft astringent action and prevents putrefaction and intestinal flatulence, typical for example of colitis.
• It also promotes the elimination of uric acid through urine.
• It also has an alkalizing effect on the blood, which makes it indicated in cleansing diets, contributing to neutralize excess toxic waste typical of a diet rich in products of animal origin.
• It is also indicated in the case of excess weight. Indeed, when you want to eliminate fat or combat fluid retention, the pear is a very convenient food. Firstly because of its low calorie content and secondly because of its high diuretic power (greater elimination of water through urine).
• Furthermore, it is known hypotensive effect of pear for its stimulating action on urine formation, which has been scientifically proven. This is due to the almost zero presence of sodium (which retains water, increasing the volume and pressure of the blood) and its high potassium content (125 mg per 100 g), with the opposite effect.

It is better with the skin

The presence of fiber and flavonoids is greater in the pear skin than in the pulp. Fiber, in addition to relieving constipation, slows the absorption of fruit sugars.

Flavonoids, natural pigments that protect the fruit from solar radiation, give it antioxidant properties.

These same pigments, in the body, have the virtue of strengthen and rejuvenate tissues and improve the resistance and permeability of blood vessels.

The pear in the kitchen

There are more than a thousand varieties of pear, the most common in our markets being: the limonera, ercolina, blanca or blanca from Aranjuez, Williams, Conference and Pera de San Juan.

These varieties They allow the pear to be available for much of the year, at a reasonable price and without having to resort to lifeless camera products.

They are ideal in juices and smoothies. and rThey are a delight in a salad, with varied lettuce and nuts. The lettuces that go best with are endive and watercress, as they are softened.

Whenever the pear is cooked, in a compote, a tart or a crêpe, or simply when it is roasted, it is important enhance the flavor with some spice (ginger, cinnamon or star anise).

Chocolate friend

The combination of this fruit with chocolate is also classic, and the recipe that best represents this exquisite alliance is that of «beautiful Helena pears», an elegant but simple French dessert from 19th century Paris.

Another surprising pairing is with chestnut, which can be enjoyed, for example, in a compote of pears and roasted chestnuts.

It can also be accompanied by dried fruits – walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts – which can be added to muesli or fruit salads along with other fruits, such as apples or bananas.

Conservation

After buying them, you have to eat them immediately or keep them in the lower part of the refrigerator, no more than two or three days.

They should not be stacked or stored in airtight containers or plastic bags. And you have to sprinkle them with lemon or submerge them in cold water so that they do not darken.