|
Fruit of the Gods
In Greek and Roman mythology, pears are sacred to three goddesses: Hera (Juno to the Romans), Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans), and Pomona, an Italian goddess of gardens and harvests. The ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. (Pear trees live for a long time.) In Chinese the word li means both "pear" and "separation," and for this reason, tradition says that to avoid a separation, friends and lovers should not divide pears between themselves.
Our pear was the first of the fruit trees that we planted in the side yard of our Beaverton (Oregon) home. For the first few years we had delicate, white blossoms but little fruit, which we understand is typical of many pear trees. However in each of the past three years our tree, which has grown rapidly to a height of about twenty feet, has yielded at least a bushel or two of Bartlett pears with a few Bosch and Comice also. The yield is less this year, but as always the taste is heavenly.
By the way, not all pears turn yellow as they ripen. Aside from Bartletts, which turn from green to bright yellow, or Red Bartletts that change to a bright crimson color, most pears show little or no change in color as they ripen. To check for ripeness, press gently near the stem end. If the fruit is soft and yielding, it is ready to eat.
Pears are loaded with dietary fiber, are good sources of potassium, and even with their abundant, naturally-sweet juices, average sized pears have only 100 calories. A medium sized pear, weighing about 166 grams, contains only 100 calories. Levulose, the sweetest of known natural sugars, is found to a greater extent in fresh pears than any other fruit!
Pears are one of the unique kinds of fruits that ripen best off of the tree. If allowed to ripen before they are harvested, their smooth, delicate flesh often becomes 'gritty' with granules composed of cellulose, lignin and other organic material.
According to the “Northwest Pear” resource, Pears (pyrus communis) are a pome fruit relative of apples. My favorite literary reference to pears occurs with the classical Greek poet, Homer, who refers to them as "Gifts of the Gods."
|
