Pear is considered one of the oldest fruit trees grown by mankind. Today, there are more than five thousand varieties of the described culture, which differ in the regions of growth, fertility, productivity, and taste of fruits. What kind of plant does a pear belong to, and how to grow it on a site - later in the article.
Is a pear a fruit or a berry?
A pear is a fruit garden or ornamental crop in the form of a tree or shrub, which belongs to the Pink family. The fruit of a pear, according to botanical terminology, is called a pear and is classified as a fruit, that is, the edible fruit of a tree or shrub.
Did you know? In ancient Russian times, such a name for fruits as “fruit” did not exist. It appeared only in 1705, and was borrowed from the Polish language “fruct” from lat. "Fructus". In some countries, the concept of “fruit” still does not stand out from the concept of “fruit”.
Plant description
Pear - a genus of fruit or ornamental plants, presented in natural conditions in the form of a tree or shrub. The culture is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of the European Union, Asia, America, with the exception of the cold northern regions, in which only a few frost-resistant varieties are cultivated. Pear, depending on the variety and climatic conditions in which it grows, is able to reach a height of 2 to 25 m in height and up to 5 m in diameter. Her crown has an oval or pyramidal shape, prone to thickening. The annual growth of the crown is about 30-40 cm.
The leaves on the branches are arranged spirally, five tiers. They are distinguished by an oval, ovoid shape, from 2.5 to 10 cm long, with a slight pointedness at the tip and small notches along the edges. The color of the foliage, depending on the ripening period, varies: at first the foliage has a more delicate and light green hue, then it becomes darker, saturated. The surface of the sheet plates is very smooth and shiny. During the flowering period, which falls at the end of April - beginning of May, small, white-colored five-petalled flowers with a diameter of 3 cm are formed on the plant, which form into umbrella-shaped brushes.
Important! Only one variety of pears should be stored in one container. (why? the thought is unfinished)
As mentioned above, the scientific fruits of culture in biology are called pears. They are characterized by an elongated shape with an expanded lower part, however, spherical fruits are found in some varieties. The color, depending on the variety, can vary, from green, yellow to red-brown. The skin is matte and shiny, dense and delicate, thin and thick, smooth and with a slight roughness.
The pulp, as a rule, is quite juicy, creamy, pink or greenish in color, oily structure, with a characteristic graininess, can be hard and crunchy. Pabout the size of the fruit grow, both very small, weighing 15-20 g, and quite weighty - from 500 to 1000 g. Elite varieties of pears, for example, “Anjou Beauty” are able to please with large fruits, weighing about 3 kg.
Important! Despite the high sweetness of pear fruits, they contain much less sugar than apples. For this reason, they are recommended for use by people with diabetes.
Chemical composition and calorie content
A pear fruit or just a pear has a rich and multifaceted chemical composition, which includes a number of useful active biological components and minerals.
Among the vitamins in the fruit warehouse are:
- B vitamins: participate in energy metabolism, are necessary for the normalization of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, reduce nervous tension, put in order night sleep;
- vitamin A: improves the condition of the skin and hair, normalizes cholesterol, enhances the protective functions of the body;
- Vitamin E: prevents premature skin aging, activates regenerative processes, takes part in metabolic processes;
- vitamin PP: actively contributes to the normalization of body weight, participates in energy exchange processes, has a beneficial effect on the female body;
- vitamin C: strengthens the immune system, fights free radicals, restores skin elasticity and tone, smoothes wrinkles;
- vitamin K: necessary for blood coagulation, activates the absorption of calcium, accelerates the regenerative processes in cells.
In addition, the composition is supplemented with the following minerals:
- calcium: helps strengthen bone and muscle tissue, participates in the formation of skeleton bones, makes capillaries more elastic;
- potassium: normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle, restores water balance in cells, fights chronic fatigue;
- magnesium: acts as an antioxidant, removes toxins and harmful substances from the body, has a calming effect, reduces the risk of depression;
- phosphorus: allows you to fight pigmentation of the skin, it is necessary for the normal functioning of the kidneys, liver, joints and teeth;
- chlorine: takes part in water-salt metabolism, stimulates the production of enzymes, prevents tooth and hair loss;
- zinc: participates in metabolic processes, improves the condition of hair, nails and skin, activates digestive processes;
- iron: prevents the development of anemia, takes part in hematopoiesis, makes the vessels strong and strong;
- cobalt: takes an active part in the thyroid gland, promotes bone growth, improves the absorption of iron;
- nickel: activates blood formation processes, regulates fat metabolism, activates the production of certain enzymes.
BZHU fruits presented:
- proteins - 0.4 g;
- fats - 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates - 11.4 g.
Important! Pears with a solid consistency are slightly viscous, have a fixing effect and can cause constipation.
The properties of pears for the body
A pear, and not only fresh, but also dried, dried, has a lot of useful properties, thanks to which it can have a beneficial effect on the body of an adult and children.
Benefit
- The high beneficial qualities of pear fruits are explained by its multifaceted, unique chemical composition. Regular consumption of pears allows you to:
- improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, strengthen blood vessels and capillaries;
- bring blood pressure back to normal;
- normalize the digestive tract, gastrointestinal tract;
- activate the functioning of the immune system, increase the body's resistance to various infections;
- cleanse the body, remove harmful substances and toxins;
- restore the natural intestinal microflora.
Pear has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory effect, therefore very useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract: bronchitis, cough, inflammation. Regular sweet fruit helps women normalize the menstrual cycle and hormonal levels, reduce pain during menstruation, improve the functioning of the reproductive organs, increase libido.Besides, fruits have a positive effect on the condition of hair and nails, make the skin more youthful, healthy, supple and toned. During the period of colds, pears make it possible to eliminate the deficiency of vital vitamins, micro and macro elements, protect the body from pathogenic microorganisms. That is why fruits are recommended to be included in the diet of adolescents.
Did you know? Before tobacco was introduced into European countries, local residents actively smoked dried pear leaves.
The fruits contain a high percentage of folic acid, which avoids fetal malformations during pregnancy and contributes to the proper development of the baby’s nervous system. They normalize the functioning of the digestive system, in certain dosages, relieve constipation.
Experts advise women to consume fruits in moderation during lactation. Pears are useful in that they contain a low percentage of sugar, very nutritious, which allows them to be used in the diet of diabetics, people who are overweight.
Harm and contraindications
- Surprisingly, the list of contraindications for the use of pears is quite small, provided that it is dosed. It is better to refuse to eat fruit:
- children under three years old;
- with individual intolerance to the product;
- tendency to allergic reactions;
- with any ailments in the acute stage.
It should be remembered that the described fruits should not be consumed on an empty stomach, at night, or washed down with water. Ideally, the fruits should be eaten separately from all other vegetables and fruits. Damage to human health can trigger excessive, uncontrolled consumption of pears, which can lead to bloating, digestive disorders, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.
How to choose a quality pear when buying?
To get the most benefit from a juicy fruit, you need to choose it correctly. First of all, fruit is not recommended to be bought from dubious distributors, near roads or highways. The purchase should be carried out in the season, starting from the end of summer and ending with the last weeks of autumn. Fruits that are sold in the winter are processed with special chemicals that contribute to the long-term storage of fruits, but harm human health.
Learn more about pear varieties:
When choosing a pear, you need to pay attention to:
- Appearance. Fruits should not contain traces of damage, rot, various spots. The presence of brown spots near the tail indicates the freshness of the product. The peel of the fruit can be of different colors, from green to golden yellow, but there should not be various unnatural spots on it.
- Degree of softness. The softness of the pear will depend on the grade, however, without even considering this fact, it should not be too soft or, conversely, as hard as stone.
- The aroma. The ripened fruit has a pronounced, pleasant, slightly honeyed, sugar flavor. The more pleasant and sweeter a pear smells, the more delicious it will be.
Basic rules for growing on the site
Pear refers to crops that do not require too painstaking care, however, to obtain stable, high-quality crops, it It is necessary to provide comfortable conditions for growing:
- The location. The pear belongs to the photophilous trees, therefore, it prefers to grow in well-lit, sunny, slightly elevated areas, with at least 2.5 m of underwater water.The plant does not tolerate drafts and the effects of cold winds, which can provoke the development of various ailments.
- The soil. The culture is well established on nutrient, loose, light soils, with an average or neutral level of acidity. During planting, it is recommended to enrich the soil with humus, superphosphates and potassium.
- Watering. The fruit tree does not treat drought well and requires regular, high-quality watering. Young plants should be watered at least once a week, more adults, from three years old - once every two weeks. The culture needs increased hydration during the flowering and ripening period of the fruit. At the same time, it reacts negatively to overflows, and with excessive watering it may cease to bear fruit and die.
- Top dressing. When a plant enters the fruiting phase (4-8 years after planting a seedling, depending on the variety), it needs additional nutrition. During the season, the pear is fed at least 3-4 times: in early spring, during flowering, in the ripening phase of the fruit and after harvesting. As fertilizers, experts recommend using organic matter (humus, chicken droppings, compost) or mineral preparations.
Disease Prevention. Many varieties of fruit trees have strong immunity and are rarely affected by disease under favorable weather conditions. However, From time to time it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying of trees from ailments and parasites. For disinfecting, modern insecticidal and fungicidal preparations, a soap solution, Bordeaux liquid, and copper sulfate solution can be used.
Features and rules of use
Pear, as a fragrant, tasty, healthy fruit containing a huge range of vitamin and mineral components, has been widely used in various fields of human activity.
In cooking. Sweet aromatic fruit perfectly relishes fresh, as well as the basis for the preparation of salads, appetizers, main dishes. Amazing preserves, jams, syrups, and fruit drinks are made from pears. Dried and dried fruits are considered an indispensable product for the preparation of patters, soft drinks. Fresh pears are used to prepare stunning flavored liqueurs, homemade wine, and liqueurs. They are also excellent raw materials for desserts, pastries, marmalade, pastels.
Important! Among all dishes, which include pear, freshly prepared salads have the greatest benefit.
In cosmetology. Since the fruit pulp contains a huge range of vitamins, in particular, A, E, C and organic acids, it is used in cosmetology for the preparation of various masks for the skin of the face and body.
- Fruit-based products have a pronounced anti-aging, tonic, anti-inflammatory and lifting effect, which makes it possible to use them for:
- eliminate wrinkles;
- fight against acne, inflammation and redness;
- return of elasticity to the skin;
- skin tightening;
- bleaching and pigmentation elimination;
- nutrition and hydration of the epidermis;
- giving the skin freshness and natural blush.
Video: how to make a pear face mask
Ethnoscience. For the treatment and prevention of various ailments, traditional healers use fruit not only in fresh form, but in the form of decoctions and infusions - helps to alleviate the condition with urolithiasis, cystitis, liver ailments, hypertension, urinary tract disease. It is an excellent tool against depression, reduces nervous agitation, alleviates the effects of stress, and reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol.
Decoctions and infusions are used to treat colds, tuberculosis, cough, bronchitis, colitis, gastritis, diseases of the genital organs and reproductive system, with prostatitis and dysfunction of the male genital organs. Jelly is boiled from pears, which is indicated for diarrhea, digestive disorders.
Ways to store pears
Pears belong to the category of fruits that do not differ too long storage period. In an apartment, the fruits can last for two weeks, however, if you provide them with cooler temperature indicators, then this period can be extended to 3-4 months. It is allowed to place fruits in the refrigerator, where they can lie fresh for up to one month.
Experts advise storing fruits in boxes made of wood, cardboard or plastic, which have drainage holes. Fruits are laid out in two layers, each of which is separated by thick white paper. They are not advised to have more than two layers, otherwise they will begin to spin, rot and quickly deteriorate.
For storing fruits, the ideal place would be a cellar or cellar, in which the following conditions should be created:
- temperature: 0 ... + 2 ° С;
- relative humidity: 880-90%.
At the same time, the room should be dry, well ventilated, not to let in sunlight. At optimal temperature parameters, the fruits are able to maintain freshness, marketability and taste up to 4 months. In the absence of a basement, fruits are allowed to be stored on the balcony until it gets colder on the street.
Pear is an extremely aromatic, wholesome and very tasty fruit that has excellent healing properties. It has been widely used in various spheres of human life - medicine, cooking, cosmetology. The described plant is unpretentious in maintenance, easy to cultivate, so even a novice gardener can grow it in his own area.
