Juicy and sweet, with a soft, buttery yet somewhat grainy texture, the white to cream-colored flesh of pears was once referred to as the "gift of the gods". Although the season for pears runs from August through October in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a variety of pear available year-round because of the seasonal variations amongst the different varieties. Some of the more common pear varieties are the Bartlett, Packham, Anjou, Bosc and a number of Asian pear varieties.

Pears are members of the rose family and related to the apple and the quince. Pears are more valued for their unique aromatic flavor than nutrition, but pears are a good source for fiber, Vitamin K, and copper. Pears are also a good source for fructose from fruit, and a better sweetener source from fruits. Fructose is slower to metabolize in the body and better for diabetics and weight loss management.

History

While the cultivation of pears has been traced back in western Asia for three thousand years, there is also some speculation that its history goes back even further and that this marvelous fruit was discovered by people in the Stone Age. Whatever their origins, pears have been revered throughout time. Called the "gift of the gods" by Homer in his epic, The Odyssey, pears were also a luxurious item in the court of Louis XIV. The early colonists brought pears to America, and while the first pear tree was planted in 1620, much of their pear supply was still imported from France. Like many other fruit trees, pears were introduced into California and Mexico by missionaries who planted them in their mission gardens.

Interestingly, with all of the respect that pears commanded, until the 18th century they did not have the soft juicy flesh that we now know them to possess. It was during this time that a lot of attention was given to the cultivation and breeding of pears, and many varieties were developed that featured pears' distinctive buttery texture and sweet taste. Today, much of the world's pear supply is grown in China, Chile, Argentina, Italy and the United States.

Pears can be used in a multitude or food and beverage applications, including beverages, pastries, dairy products, confections, fruit ices and in cosmetics.

Encore Fruit Marketing can provide an excellent source of pear puree concentrate to help consumer products deliver one of the 5 A Day fruit servings, with good fiber content and a refreshing pear flavor.

Pear puree concentrate iis carefully processed from fresh, ripened pears to provide the essential flavor and nutrition , in a convenient, ready to use ingredient form for processed beverage and food applications. Pear puree concentrate is an excellent ingredient to add a fruit serving to your retail label for beverages, dairy desserts, pastries, sauces, jellies and other processed foods like nutrition bars and snacks.

Contact Encore Fruit Marketing today for product samples and information on pear puree concentrate at www.encorefruit.com or Click Here to use our convenient Contact Form.