jeudi 7 mars 2013

Not Many Calories In A Pear

By Arold Augustin


The pear is one of the most popular fruits in the world, second only to the apple. It turns out it is quite closely related to the rose, being a member of the genus Pyrus in the family rosaceae. Its blossoms are usually white, although pink and yellow flowers exist. The number of calories in a pear is less than 100, assuming a weight of 170 grams.

The fruit of the Pyrus tree is one of the most popular in the world, so say the Pear Bureau. It is a good source of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and an excellent source of dietary fiber. The fruit is free from fat, cholesterol and salt. There are over 3,000 varieties of this charming fruit cultivated all over the world. Each specimen has its own characteristic texture and taste.

While they make an excellent snack or an addition to a packed lunch, there are many interesting recipes involving fruits of the Pyrus genus. Placed in a blender with ice, a large orange, sugar and vanilla soy milk, they make a lovely breakfast smoothie. Slightly more complicated is the lavender mint spritz. This may be served with or without alcohol.

The Pyrus fruit is fermented and served as a beverage called perry. While some folk call this pear cider, because of its resemblance, cider purists go nuts and you are better off calling it by its own name. It is particularly popular in French and in the United Kingdom, where it is freakishly strong. The perry served in bottles in the United States has a lower alcohol content and tastes much more like pears and less like paint thinner, as do some of its European counterparts.

Serve in a sandwich with bacon and cheese on sourdough bread. Bosc, Anjou and Bartlett varieties are particularly well-suited to this treatment. Pyrus can also be the basis of a lovely gluten-free, dairy-free bread. Believe it or not, you can also make a pear lasagna, for which the Bosc variety is particularly suitable. Included in one recipe are cardamom and brie. Chorizo and pears make an interesting combination.

The Bradford tree looks pretty and is coveted by gardeners. Unfortunately it has several features that make it completely unsuitable for domestic cultivation. For one thing, it will try to take over. Secondly, it emits a terrible pong that is unbearable in large numbers. Finally, the tree breaks easily in strong winds owing to its weak wood.

The first literary mention of the fruit appeared in The Odyssey by Homer in the 9th century B. C. This serves as confirmation that the fruit was grown at least three thousand years ago. Two millennia later, the fruit provided an alibi for Lizzie Borden, accused of murdering her parents in Fall River, Massachusetts on the night of August 4, 1892. At the time when she was accused of murdering her father with an axe, she testified that she had been in the barn consuming pears. She was acquitted.

The pear is a much-loved fruit all over the world, second only to the apple in popularity. The low number of calories in a pear makes it a tasty, low-calorie snack for those who are watching their weight. While certain varieties of the fruit are treasured as plant specimens, others are unwelcome additions to domestic gardens.




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