Late summer and mid-autumn are graced by an abundance of pears—an iconic fruit grown and loved worldwide. Pears are said to have been sacred to two goddesses in Greek mythology, Hera and Aphrodite.
Originating in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountain range in Western China, pears, or Pyrus communis, are part of the Rosaceae plant family, which includes many of our favorite fruits, including apples, plums, cherries, and peaches. Because of pear trees’ ability to withstand cold temperatures, they can be harvested year-round in many areas of the world, and thus are now grown on nearly every continent on Earth.
