WORLD PEAR DAY
World Pear Day celebrates the peak pear season during early December. Each year, the celebration kicks off National Pear Month during the first weekend in December. The goal is to promote all varieties of this delicious fruit all around the world.
Pears are a juicy and sweet fruit that have been around since 5,000 B.C. Due to their versatility and long shelf life, pears became a much-desired commodity among the trading routes of the ancient world. In the 18th century, the pear tree was included in the famous carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The first American colonists brought pear trees to eastern settlements. For various reasons, the trees did not grow well in the east. However, pear trees thrived in the west, especially Washington and Oregon. Today, these two states take pride in some of the largest and most prolific pear orchards in the world. Thanks to the abundant pear harvest in these two states, the United States is one of the largest pear producers in the world.
Pear Facts
- There are 3,000 varieties of pears around the world
- A medium pear contains 100 calories
- Producers handpick all pears in the United States.
- Because of its soft, butter-like texture, pears used to be called butter fruit
- Pears are rich in dietary fibers, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, copper, and potassium
- Pears are considered one of the healthiest foods and can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
- Some of the most popular kinds of pears include Bartlett, Anjou, Asian, and Comice, which is also called the Christmas Pear
- China considers pears the symbol of immortality.
Pears are used in a variety of recipes including pies, cakes, breads, salads, jams, quesadillas, pancakes, and cocktails. Some people put pears on their pizza and eat them on sandwiches. Others pickle their pears. What are some ways you enjoy pears?
HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldPearDay
On this day, USA-grown pears can be sampled in more than 24 countries including New Zealand, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. Attend one of the nearly 1,000 in-store sampling events. The best thing you can do to celebrate this day is to eat a ripe, juicy pear. Here are some other ways to participate:
- Try to make a few delicious pear recipes
- Buy some pears and offer them to friends, families, and co-workers
- Read some fun books about pears like Why Was the Partridge in the Pear Tree? and Too Many Pears!
Spread awareness for this day by sharing #WorldPearDay on social media.
WORLD PEAR DAY HISTORY
USA Pears promotes World Pear Day and the observance began in 2016.