Pears

Pears are late season fruit widely grown in the UK, which is where we source our stock from during the in-season from late summer to well into the winter months. They grows on trees and shrubs and are a member of the rosaceae (rose) family of plants. Native to China, the fruit generally has a unique teardrop shape. The flesh is crisp, but softens easily and its skin can be left on when eaten, but are commonly peeled when used for cooking.

Often eaten as a snack, poached and used in salads and desserts, the winter fruits cool, sweet flavour pairs well with warm spices.

There are many varieties of pears, our most popular being Conference, Williams/Packham and Chinese pears.

Conference pears are a British variety with mottled brown and green skin and soft, grainy texture. They are great on their own or as a dessert pear as they are sweet and juicy.

Chinese/ Asian pear are a pale yellow colour, more rounded in shape and crunchy and crisp similar to apples. They work well raw, but can also work great for tarts and crumbles.

Williams or Packham pears are a British variety and are green sometimes with a red blush. When ripe they are juicy and soft so bruise easily and turn to mush when cooked, so are best for sauces rather than baked in desserts and poached.