Pears are members of the rose family and are related to the apple and quince. Pears generally have a large round bottom that tapers toward the top. Their paper thin skins can either be yellow, green, brown, red or a combination of two or more of these colors.

Like apples, pears have a core than features several seeds. Their flesh is white to cream in color. It is juicy and sweet with a grainy texture.

An interesting difference between a pear and its cousin, the apple, is that when placed in water apples float while pears sink.

Pears are a unique fruit in that they ripen best off the tree. Because they ripen from the inside out, the best way to check for ripeness is to “check the neck.” To do this, gently press the stem end with your thumb. When it gives to gentle pressure it is ripe, juicy and ready to eat. If you wait unit the pear is soft around the middle it will be overripe.

There are many different types of pears. These are the most common: AnjouConcorde BartlettForelle BoscSeckel Comice Starkrimson

Pears are consumed fresh, canned, as juice, and dried. Pear wood is the preferred material for the manufacture of high quality woodwind instruments and furniture.

Pears are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper and potassium. Pears are less allergenic than many other fruits.

Pears are one of the world’s oldest cultivated and beloved fruits. For example: In The Odyssey, Homer praises pears as a “gift of the gods.” Thanks to their long storage life, pears were a valuable and much-desired commodity on the trading routes in the ancient world. Pears were a subject of still life painting done by the Renaissance Masters. The pear was made famous in the 18 th century Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Today, the largest pear production in the United States is in the states of California, Oregon & Washington.

bing.com/images/search Children’s Books About Pears Did you Say Pears? By Arlene Alda Two Pairs of Pears By Gosia Lucyk Too Many Pears By Jackie French Mr. Putter & Tabby Pick the Pears By Cynthia Rylant