ORIGIN & PRODUCTION
In addition to the pears grown in Europe, the southern hemisphere pear is a popular fruit on market stalls and in supermarkets.
VARIETIES & AVAILABILITIES
AT TOTAL PRODUCE INDIGO
TOTAL PRODUCE INDIGO imports Abate Fetel, Forelle, Packham, and of course William. These varieties come from Chile, South Africa and Argentina.
As a result, TOTAL PRODUCE INDIGO imports very large volumes of pears. Consumers can choose from a wide range of pears imported from March to August, which compare very favourably with their European counterparts in terms of flavour and texture.
DESCRIPTION & APPEARANCE
Elongated in shape, and with a green, yellow or red colour, pears are the fifth most consumed fruit in France.
Available throughout the year, their sweet, juicy flesh and mellow flavour is popular with children and adults. Eaten when ripe, they can be consumed raw, cooked or dried. Pears go well in savoury and sweet dishes, only revealing their full flavour when they are ripe. Like avocados, the cut surface of this fruit oxidises rapidly, but they can be placed in lemon water or dipped in lemon juice to stop them going brown.
NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
& PREPARATION
In culinary and nutritional terms, the pear is an excellent source of dietary fibre (good for digestive transit) and has a relatively low glycaemic index. The skin contains several phenolic compounds, with powerful antioxidant properties that have been linked to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
TOTAL PRODUCE INDIGO:
SPECIALISTS IN RIPENING
TOTAL PRODUCE INDIGO is acknowledged to be a specialist in the ripening and storage of pears and in their marketing generally.
ANOTHER "PEAR":
Although the Chinese pear, or Nashi pear is not officially a pear, we include it in our range from November to May. China is the world’s biggest producer of pears.