Apple vs. pear
Healthy and fit with apples and pears? Domenika from Flexifasten tells you something about the most important facts::
- What is the difference between the apple type and the pear type?
- Why are men more associated with the apple type and women with the pear type?
- Which important ingredients apples and pears contain?
- When should you prefer apples and when pears in your diet plan?
- How do you recognize ripe pears? How can you speed up the ripening process?
- Fruit acids can attack the teeth or cause intestinal problems.
- Are there differences in the acidity of apples and pears?
- Can this be proven experimentally?
- There are over 25,000 apple varieties worldwide. How many varieties can I find in our fruit grower?
Apples and pears can be compared in many ways, even if this is literally not really allowed. There are good reasons to take an apple or a pear for your diet plan. In general, however, with apples and pears contain many important minerals, vitamins and secondary plant substances which improve health of your body. Apples and pears have to be an a diet plan for good reason.
Apple
The apple comes originally from Central and Western Asia. It has been already cultivated in present Kazakhstan 10,000 b. c. In ancient times , the apple came from trade routes in the Mediterranean area, where it was cultivated by Greeks and Romans. Due to this cultivation, the apple got its sweet taste. The original Asian crab apple tasted very sour. The Romans brought the apple to Central and North Europe about 100 b. c. The apple entrenched quickly and was cultivated nearly throughout Europe. China is the world leading producer of apples, followed by countries like the USA, Poland, Turkey, India, Italy or France. Germany is in the top 20 of the largest producers of apples as well. In Germany between 600.000 and 960.000 tones of apples are produces each year. No wonder the apple is the most popular type of fruit in Europe. In average, a good 19 kilos every German eats each year. As the pear, the apple belongs to the family of rosaceous plants. There are about 20,000 different types of fruit. Popular types are Jonagold, Elstar, Braeburn, Gala or the world-famous Cox Orange.
Apples contain Vitamin A, C and E as well as B vitamins like niacin and folic acid. Furthermore, they contain valuable trace elements and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus or iron. The most important ingredients are in or directly below the peel. Therefore, apples should be eaten raw and with peel. Apples contain fibres such as pectin which boosts the digestion and helps losing weight due to its saturating effect. Moreover, pectin reduces the cholesterol level. Apples have low fat and low calories. Apples contain secondary plant substances such as flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenols. Apples have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Even the lung function is said to be improved by the consumption of apples. In this way diseases can be prevented. Moreover, apples are a household remedy for diarrhoea and other diseases.
In general, apples have a very long shelf life. However, they should be stored cool and dry. Apples can be stored in plastic as well, which ensures an even longer shelf life. During the ripening process apples are forming a gas called ethylene. Ethylene regulates the ripening process and spread to other fruits as well. As a result, fruits which are stored next to apples ripe faster.
Hardly another fruit can be used in so many ways than the apple. Mostly they are eaten raw. However, apples are very popular for baked goods such as cake or apple turnovers as well. Often, they are processed to applesauce, apple juice or compote. Apples are a popular side dish for rice pudding or pancakes. The candy apple is very popular in winter. Dried apple rings are always a popular snack.
Pear
European pears descend from wild pears which are originally from South Europe and Asia Minor. Pears have been cultivated for several years. In the 18th and 19th century, pears were cultivated especially in France and Belgium. The majority or all European pears comes from there. In the last decades, new types were grown. Worldwide a good 2,000 types are known. The pear is a pome and belongs to the family of rosaceous plants. Pears are divided in 3 subgroups: dessert pears, cooking pears, and cider pears. World leading producer is China followed by Argentina, the USA, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, India and many more. Main supplier for Germany is Italy followed by France, Belgium, Spain, South Africa or Argentina. Germany grows about 34 tonnes a year.
Most pears do not ripe on a tree but in special ripening rooms. Pears do not have such a long shelf life. It is not the case with late-ripening winter pears. These are stored so-called CA or ULO warehouses in order to maintain their shelf life. Pears are available the whole year. The pulp of overripe pears become brown. First fruits have often a very sensitive peel. The taste of many pears depends on the term of the harvest. The taste of many pears depends on the time of harvest. The taste depends on the consistency of the pulp, the juice content, the sugar-acid ratio and the flavour content. Of course, the taste varies depending on the type.
Pears contain Vitamin A and C vitamins as well as B vitamins like niacin and folic acid. They are rich in minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, calcium or iron. Pears stimulate the metabolism and have a purifying and dewatering effect. Furthermore, they are good for bone formation and the nervous system. Moreover, among all type of fruit pears are one with the most proportion of fibres including the water-soluble fibre pectin which boosts the digestion and promotes the elimination of cholesterol. Pears are easy to digest. Certain types are said to promote the blood sugar level of people with diabetics.
You should avoid buying pears which are too ripe as they should be eaten within 2 or 3 days. Under pressure pears should soften just a little bit. Too ripe pears rot faster. Too ripe fruits can post-ripe at room temperature.
Pears are often eaten raw. However, they are suitable for baking cakes or other sweets as well. Pears go well with savoury dishes, too. Pears are processed to spirits as well.