A Humble Pear

A pear makes a delicious snack. Crisp and juicy with some sweetness, it stabilizes your blood sugar in-between meals. There's enough fiber and bulk to stave off hunger. I can't stand being hungry either after I eat a meal ... or a couple of hours before dinner. How annoying! When I need a little extra lunch or something to tide me over until dinner, I like to grab a pear. I don't worry about consuming extra calories as long as I stick to fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks. Often a big pear is enough, but a smear of peanut butter or brie is tasty with it.

Photo: Stylegaze

Pears are 84% water, 15% carbohydrates and about 1% protein/fats. They don't contain as many vitamins or minerals as apples, bananas, or oranges ... only a trace. Pears are mainly healthy due to their high fiber content, which is very good for your digestive tract, and doctors speculate to keep diseases like cancer away. Pears are believed to have hidden benefits that science has yet to understand.

Humans have eaten pears [known as Genus Pyrus, family Rosaceae] since antiquity, and they grow all over the globe. The 5 top growers (in order) include China, Argentina, the United States, Italy, and Turkey.

Free iStock photos

Another benefit of eating pears is, people tend not to be allergic to them. Pears are sometimes given to patients to eat who have lots of other food allergies.

In the fall and winter, I buy pears from street vendors: 2 big pears for $1.00. I buy 6, as they have a long refrigerator crisper drawer life. They last for weeks. Pears will ripen at room temperature and faster if you store them next to a banana. Pears are ripe when the flesh around the stem gives by applying gentle pressure. I once read that a soft pear has more nutrition, but frankly, I prefer it crisp. I will eat any variety of pears but often get Anjou pears. They are plump!

I added walnuts and a few blueberries to ours. The recipe is linked below.

Here's a link to more pear facts and recipes. I'd love to make more rustic pear tarts, but I eat my pears up before thought becomes action. Just like apples, I hear that pears make good cider, which I'm also eager to try!

You may also enjoy:
All About Apples
Oscar Night Munches    
Most Daily Vitamins Are Worthless
The Five Second Rule For Food Is Untrue