Me Amore Pears
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Me Amore pears are large fruits with a squat, bulbous base that tapers to a short, rounded neck. The skin is smooth, taut, and delicate, bruising easily, and is covered in a bright red blush with faint striping depending on growing conditions. Underneath the surface, the flesh is white to ivory, soft, fine-grained, and aqueous, often being described as having a tender, melting-quality. Me Amore pears are aromatic and have a sweet and subtly tangy flavor with notes of vanilla and cinnamon.
Seasons/Availability
Me Amore pears are available in the late fall through winter.
Current Facts
Me Amore pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are a specialty variety that belongs to the Rosaceae family. The sweet cultivar is considered to be a modern, European variety that was developed from the famous comice pear and is highly valued for its bright red coloring and soft flesh. Me Amore pears are somewhat rare as they are only cultivated in limited quantities and are favored as a dessert pear. In northwestern Europe, the variety is frequently labeled as a premium cultivar, selling at high prices, and were created to expand the selection of red pears available in European markets.
Nutritional Value
Me Amore pears are a good source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion, and contain vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and iron. The fruits also provide some copper, magnesium, folate, and vitamins B2, E, and K.
Applications
Me Amore pears are best suited for raw applications as their sweet flavor is showcased when consumed fresh, out-of-hand. The juicy, soft flesh can be eaten as a snack, chopped and tossed into green and fruit salads, sliced and used as a topping over pancakes, ice cream, crumbles, and puddings, or blended into smoothies and cocktails. The pears can also be sliced and served with cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits on appetizer plates, cooked into sauces, compotes, and jams, mixed into risotto, or lightly caramelized with butter and served with savory main dishes. Me Amore pears compliment cheeses such as brie, gorgonzola, and blue, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, rosemary, cloves, and star anise, vanilla, raspberries, cranberries, ginger, and nuts such as hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, and walnuts. The delicate skin of Me Amore pears can bruise or tear easily, but when handled properly, the fruits will keep 2-3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. When kept at room temperature, the pears will only last for a couple of days, depending on the degree of ripeness.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the Netherlands, Me Amore pears are a premium variety that is often marketed as a fresh eating pear for holiday gift baskets. Similar to its parent cultivar, the comice pear, which is advertised as a Christmas pear, Me Amore pears are promoted as a Valentine’s day variety. Me Amore pears are highly valued for their vibrant red skin and are used as a festive table decoration for the love-filled holiday. The pears are also sold in decorative fruit baskets that are given as gifts to friends and family, and they are sometimes dipped in chocolate as a sweet dessert.
Geography/History
Me Amore pears are a variant of the comice pear and were released to commercial markets through Limburgse Tuinbouwveiling, which is a grower cooperative based in Belgium. While the exact date of origin is unknown, Me Amore pears are a relatively new variety that is sold in limited quantities through select grower partnerships in Belgium and the Netherlands.
