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Asian Pear Nutrition

Asian pears differ from European varieties in that they tend to be crisper and lighter in flavor. They are generally not as sweet as their European counterparts and resemble apples in both shape and texture. Asian pears are a solid source of nutrition in that they contain few calories and are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.

  1. Calories and Fat

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one medium-sized Asian pear contains about 50 calories. It is a fat-free fruit. It also contains no cholesterol or saturated fat.

    Fiber

    • Asian pears are a fairly good source of fiber, as long as they are consumed with the skin. The CDC says that one medium-sized Asian pear has 4 g of dietary fiber. To put that in perspective, the average European-variety pear has 3 g of dietary fiber, while the average apple has 5 g.

    Carbohydrates

    • Asian pears contain 13 g of carbohydrates per fruit. This makes them a better choice for people who are observing low-carb diets than other fruits. The average apple, for example, contains 22 g of carbohydrates. Asian pears also contain only 9 g of sugar; apples have 16 g.

    Vitamin C

    • One medium-sized Asian pear fulfills about 8 percent of a person's daily vitamin C needs, according to the CDC, which is about the same as the average apple and just slightly more than the average European-variety pear. They do not pack a significant amount of any other vitamin.

    Storage

    • One major perk of eating Asian pears is that they retain their nutritional benefits, even if stored for several months. This is because, unlike European-variety pears, Asian pears are allowed to ripen before they are picked. Once harvested, the pears do not continue to soften. Asian pears can be stored at room temperature for about a week or in the refrigerator for up to three months with no ill effects, according to the CDC.

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