Honey Belle Pears
Estimated Inventory, 25 ct : 0
Description/Taste
Honey Belle pears are small in size and are pyriform in shape with a wide bottom that tapers to a smaller, rounded neck and a short, dark brown stem. The smooth, thin skin is dark green with patches of red blushing and prominent lenticels covering the surface. The flesh is off-white to pale yellow, crisp, and firm encasing a central core with a few small black-brown seeds. When ripe, Honey Belle pears are juicy and crunchy with a very sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Honey Belle pears are available for a short time in the spring.
Current Facts
Honey Belle pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are a variety of European pear native to New Zealand and are members of the Rosaceae family along with apples and apricots. Also known as Belle de Jumet, Honey Belle pears are considered to be one of the sweetest wonders of the world ‘down under’ in Australia and New Zealand. Honey Belle pears are ripe and ready to eat when picked and are favored for their small size, crisp texture, and early arrival in the spring. They are most commonly consumed fresh, out-of-hand and can also be used in a variety of baked applications.
Nutritional Value
Honey Belle pears are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
Applications
Honey Belle pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking or poaching. They are popularly used as a bite-sized snack in children’s lunchboxes and can be sliced and added fresh to salads, layered in sandwiches, tossed with pasta, or chopped and sprinkled over soup as a crunchy garnish. Honey Belle pears retain their shape when baked and are also used in cakes, tarts, bread, muffins, popovers, pies, or poached with a white or red wine reduction sauce for a sweet and tangy dessert. Honey Belle pears compliment walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, gorgonzola cheese, cinnamon, honey, turmeric, apple cider, vanilla, chocolate, and lemon. They are ripe and ready for consumption when harvested and can be kept on the counter at room temperature for a couple of weeks, or they can be stored in the refrigerator for several months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Honey Belle pears have become popular in Asia due to their small size, nutritional value, and durability in transport. These pears are largely exported from New Zealand to Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, and consumers use the pears as an on-the-go snack. With the market focus shifting to healthy options, Honey Belle pears have become one of the preferred snacks because of their small size and firm texture. They do not bruise easily and provide a sweet, natural flavor as an alternative for sugar cravings.
Geography/History
Honey Belle pears are grown exclusively in a region that is known as the fruit bowl in New Zealand, otherwise known as Hawke’s Bay. Pears have been cultivated in this area of the North Island of New Zealand since the 1960s, and this region now accounts for half of the national export. Honey Belle pears have been cultivated for about twenty years and are exported to specialty grocers in Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Honey Belle Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Running to the Kitchen |
|
Cinnamon Pear Pancakes |
| Virtually Homemade |
|
Grilled Cheddar, Pear and Arugula Sandwich |
| Not Enough Cinnamon |
|
Pear and Gorgonzola Brioche Toast |
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