Fresh Santa Maria Pears

Country Of Origin: Turkey

Seasons/Availability 
Santa Maria pears are harvested in the late summer through early fall and can be stored until the mid-winter.

Description
Santa Maria pears are large, uniform fruits and have an elongated, oval to pyriform shape. The skin is smooth, thin, covered in prominent lenticels, and has a yellow-green base with pink blush on the sides with the most sun exposure. Santa Maria pears are aromatic, and when ripe, they develop a soft, tender texture with a sweet, subtly tart flavour.

Uses
Santa Maria pears are best suited for raw applications as their sweet, juicy flesh is showcased when consumed straight, out-of-hand. The pears can be sliced and eaten as a snack, or they can be tossed into green and fruit salads, blended into smoothies, or pressed into juice for fruit drinks, ciders, and cocktails.


​Benefits
Santa Maria pears are an excellent source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion, and are a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, which contain antioxidants that can help protect the immune system and reduce signs of aging. The fruits also provide some copper, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron.