While the cultivation of pears has been traced back in western Asia for three thousand years, there is also some speculation that its history goes back even further and that this marvelous fruit was discovered by people in the Stone Age. Unlike most fruit, pears improve in both texture and flavour after they are picked.

Pears generally have a large round bottom that tapers towards the top. Depending upon the variety, their paper-thin skins can either be yellow, green, brown, red or a combination of two or more of these colors. Like apples, pears have a core that features several seeds.

Conference Pears are by far the most widely grown pear in north-west europe. They have a round bottom with a long thin neck, russet skin, with a very sweet and juicy flesh.

Willliams Pears are golden yellow or red tinged, juicy and sweet but with a firm texture. they are excellent for both cooking and eating.