Pears

Cactus Pear, also known as prickly pear, is the delectable, elongated, egg-shaped fruit of several varieties of Opuntia cactus. The purple-red and sometimes green, prickly skin of the Cactus Pear can be peeled away exposing a soft, ruby-red or golden colored flesh with tiny, edible seeds. The taste varies by variety, but most often the flavor is similar to a sweet melon. The flowery aroma and juicy texture are like watermelon. Cactus Pears are usually served cold, peeled and sectioned with the seeds and served in fruit salads or sprinkled with brown sugar, lime juice and topped with whipped cream to create a unique dessert.

To prep a Cactus Pear, wear gloves to protect your hands. Cut off both ends of the fruit. Using a paring knife, make shallow lengthwise cuts about 3″ apart. Starting at one end, peel off and discard skin or cut the skin off from top to bottom.

This variety is one of the most widely grown Asian apple pears in the world.
This extraordinary flavored 20^th Century Asian pear was first discovered in 1898 as a chance seedling in Matsudo City, Japan. This variety is one of the most widely grown Asian apple pears in the world. The fruit has a delicate, blemish-free, golden yellow skin that our Hood River, Oregon grower hand-wraps individually and packs in a convenient 4-count cell for protection against bruising.

These crisp and juicy pears have a complex flavor that begins with notes of vanilla-butterscotch and then finishes with a refreshingly pleasant tartness. Japanese 20^th Century pears make an excellent hand snack, adds flavor and crunch to salads and pairs extremely well with tart cheeses. Product of Oregon.

Melissa’s Organic Bosc Pears have a long tapering neck, and earthy brown skin which is oftentimes mottled. For those unfamiliar with Bosc, they are distinguishable because of their firmer flesh and spicy flavor.

Organic Bosc Pears make a healthy and delicious snack, but they are also good poached or baked whole.

Melissa’s Organic label reads: “Melissa’s Certified Organic Produce is free of artificial or synthetic fertilizers and full of unforgettable, great tasting flavor. Our farmers use traditional earth-friendly farming methods inspected by a nationally recognized agency to verify organic authenticity. Melissa’s Organic Produce, a choice made closer to nature.”
Melissa’s Organic Bosc Pears are hand-selected for excellent quality. To ripen store pears at room temperature for up to one week. Pears may be refrigerated to stop ripening process. Organic produce should not be stacked with non-organic produce.

A favorite variety in holiday gift boxes and baskets due to its attractive red over green coloring, Comice have earned special recognition as the “Christmas Pear.” Their flesh is very soft, and can best be described as creamy in texture, abundantly full of juice, and very sweet.

Organic pears are grown with no chemical pesticides or fungicides and third party certified as being organically grown in accordance with the guidelines mandated by the USDA’s Organic Foods Production Act of 2002. Product of USA.

Choose fruit that is firm to firm ripe with no soft brown spots or mechanical cuts. Comice will ripen quickly at room temperature, but will keep for several weeks in refrigeration.