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There are approximately 5000 kinds of Varieties of Pears grown
throughout the world, although many remain unknown to us as we
are restricted to the types sold in our supermarkets or our own
home grown varieties. |
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This fruit is seasonal which means that certain varieties may
not be available in all countries, all year round. However, the
following pear varieties list contains some of the most common
types, as well as a few that you may know little about: |
Pears
Asian
Pears: Another name given to Asian varieties is Nashi Varieties
of Pears. There are many types of Asian varieties of pears but
they are generally very similar. Unlike the usual pear shape,
Asian varieties are round with russet golden-brown skin. The
texture of the fruit is crisp, juicy and the flesh is white. In
a similar sense to apples, this particular variety is also
crunchy, therefore, it is best eaten raw so that the fruit can
be enjoyed in its natural state. Asian varieties of pears make a
great addition to winter salads and fruit salads. They can be
enjoyed as a healthy snack or desert.
Perry
Pears: There are approximately 300 named varieties of Perry
pears although many are unknown to us as they are not commonly
sold in shops. This fruit has been used over the years for
alcoholic pear drinks where they have been pressed and juiced
for use in wine or champagne. This variety has a bitter taste
even when it is cooked.
Tientsin
Pears: This type originate from Korea and China, the taste and
texture make these Chinese and Korean varieties very similar to
the Nashi or Asian varieties of pears. They are available to eat
whilst Asian varieties are out of season. The skin is very
similar to that of a pale apple as it is pale yellow and
slightly speckled. The shape is somewhere between round and
slightly larger at the bottom, narrowing at the top like the
common pear with long thin stems. The texture and taste is
lovely as this fruit is crunchy and contains a lot of juice -
very quenching on a summer's day.
Hosui
Pears: This pear type is similar to varieties of apples in
appearance as they are more rounded in shape than the common
pear. The taste is also closer to that of an apple than the
usual sweet pear. The Hosui variety is juicy and crunchy, they
are similar to Tientsins in this sense.
Anjou
Pears: This is a large size fruit which is sweet and juicy. It
can be eaten raw or cooked. This pear has yellow - green colored
skin with russetting or speckles similar to other varieties of
pears.
Barlett
Pears: This variety is known as Williams Bon Chretien in some
parts of the world. In America they are named Barlett Pears.
They do not take the common pear shape as they are often bigger
on one side of its stalk. The skin is yellow with some russet or
red tinge to it. This particular fruit type contains a lot of
juice. The flesh is white and sweet, perhaps a little musky.
They are versatile so they are ideal for cooking for eating raw.
This type should be eaten fairly quickly after picking or
purchasing as they do not last long before going off.
Beth
Pears: Similar to the Barlett Pears, this variety also has
tastes great with it juicy pear flavor and texture. This type
keeps fairly well, staying fresher for longer than some other
types.
Beurre D'Anjou
Pears: This variety is also known by the names D'Anjou and Anjou
Pears. The fruit is believed to have originated from either
France or Belgium. There are green and red varieties of Anjou,
both are medium to large in size shaped like the usually pear
shape, being wider at the bottom than top. Its taste is
deliciously sweet, flavored, aromatic with a juice texture. The
puree can be used to create the pear flavor of jelly beans.
Beurre Hardi and
Bosc Pears:
The skin of the hardi or bosc pears remains green to gold in
color until maturity, when this fruit develops and ripens it
becomes completely yellow and russet. The name of this pear
means buttered which reflects the marvellous buttery texture of
its flesh which is also very juicy and firm. Both of these Hardi
and Bosc pears are ideal for cooking or eating raw. They have a
particularly sweet flavor which is delicious, sometimes it can
incorporate as taste of acidity.
Beurre Superfin Pears:
This pear variety is fairly large in size and slightly rounded.
The skin is uneven, it is light yellow green colored which turns
to russet as the fruit ripens. It is particularly juicy with a
buttery but firm texture. The flesh is white - cream with a very
enjoyable sweet flavor. |
Cactus Pears: Otherwise
known by the name of prickly pears, cacti pears, tuna or cacti
fib. Please note that there is a separate page with interesting
information and facts all about Prickly Pears, their nutritional
benefits and how to prepare and serve them.
Conference Pears: This is
one of the British varieties of pears, please see the
information above alongside the Conference Pear Picture towards
the top of this page.
Comice
Pears: Also known by the full name Doyenne du Comice.
This is perhaps one of the best varieties as it is simply
delicious, creamy, sweet and melts in your mouth. They are best
raw so that the flavor can be fully appreciated. It's a large
fruit which has yellow to green, thick, speckled skin with some
russet patches. This pear is excellent served with camerbert or
brie.
Forelle Pears:
This type makes a delicious accompaniment to cheese as its flesh
has a nice, crisp texture. It is also lovely when cooked. This
pear is golden with deep red coloring on one side.
Josephine
de Malines Pears: This pear originates from France, its French
history dating back to the 1800s. The fruit is of average size
with yellow green colored skin with patches of russet and red
tinting. The flesh contains a lot of juice, it is white to pink
in color. This variety keeps well unlike some other kinds.
Merton Pride Pears: This
pear has yellow skin with speckles. It is very tasty indeed as
it's one of the sweetest and juciest.
Onward Pears: This pear has
ribbed skin so many people prefer to peel its skin away before
eating the fruit. The skin is a mixture of yellow, green, red
coloring with russet. Its a very nice flavored pear which has
white creamy flesh that is sweet, juicy and soft. The shape of
this fruit is fairly round.
Packham's Triumph Pears: This pear originates from
Australia, its Australian history dating back to the late 1800s.
Its skin is green and smooth with slight russet patches. When
the pear begins to mature and ripen, the skin changes to a
yellow color. This is a sweet fruit which has delicious white,
soft flesh.
Passacrena
Pears: This varieties skin is yellow to green with russet
patches. The flesh is granular but it is sweet flavored and
juicy nonetheless.
Red
Williams Varieties of Pears: Once this varieties skin has
ripened it turns yellow with a tinge of red, however, whilst it
is still in the growing process, it has green skin with a hint
of red. This pear has speckled skin. It is a sweet variety which
is nice and juicy.
Rocha
Pears: This fruit is one of the varieties of pears from
Portugal, it has green to yellow colored skin with russet
patches. The stem is surrounded by brown markings. This is a
sweet fruit, the flesh is firm and white, and it keeps well.
Seckel Pears: This pear
originates from America. It is one of the smallest varieties of
pears. It is very sweet and delicious tasting. Sometimes, due to
the fact that they are so sweet, they are known by the name of
sugar pears. They are very small with rounded shapes, fuller at
the bottom whilst narrowing at the top, towards the stem. In
fact, this type is so small that it can be canned whole! This is
one of the most popular American varieties of pears, it is
yellow to green in color with flushes of red.
Winter Nelis Pears: This
average size fruit is round in shape with yellow to green
coloured skin with a tinge of red and russet spots. These pears
are ideal for eating raw or various methods of cooking. This
varieties flesh is soft, cream - white in color and like typical
varieties of pears, its sweet, juicy and delicious. |
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