Seasons/Availability
The peak season for delicious Comice pears begins in August and continues into March. Because of their good looks and sweetness, this is the variety most often found in holiday gift boxes and has been dubbed the "Christmas pear". Check for availability.
Current Facts
Who needs anything else for dessert?
Description/Taste
Broad and rather blunt, the stubby almost round Comice pear, pronounced kuh-MEES or co-meece, is easily recognized by its characteristic squat shape. Pale yellow or dull green, its fragile skin is marked with russet flecks or a red blush on its cheek. Unequaled in texture, this pear is extra juicy and not even faintly gritty. Sweet and aromatic, its creamy-white flesh is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It is said to be the sweetest and most flavorful of pears.
Nutritional Value
Containing about 100 calories, pears provide dietary fiber, some vitamin C, high levels of pectin and boron. Studies show pectin helps inhibit certain cancers. Boron promotes stimulation of electrical activity in the brain and to help retain calcium in the body. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
Because of its delicate nature, the Comice pear does not make a good candidate for cooking. Served with Brie, Camembert or Stilton cheese, this succulent fruit is a perfect closure to a meal. Add this sweetie to enhance watercress or spinach salads. Dip iced pear slices in raspberry, apricot or strawberry sauce. For an unforgettable taste experience, submerge pear slices in caramel dip. For a tasty easy snack, cut in half; scoop out pulp with a spoon. To store, keep at room temperature. Refrigerate ripe fruit only a day or two. Chilling robs pears of their juicy flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In France, the pear lovingly is called poire; in Germany: Birne; in Italy: pera; in Spain: pera; in Sweden: paron; in Russia: grusba; in Poland: gruszka; in Greece: achladi; in Turkey: armut; in Persia: amrud; in China: li; in Japan: yonashi; and in Romania, the pear is called para.
Geography/History
A French variety, Comice pears were developed in France about 1849 and considered to be the king of pears because of their extreme juiciness and scrumptious sweetness. This pear's name is short for "Doyenne du Comice", which means, of course, "top of the show". Washington State, California and Oregon are major producers.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Featured Recipes
Recipes that include Comice Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.
