Cactus pears are actually large berries growing on the prickly pear cactus. They are filled with edible seeds – which is one reason for their high-fiber content – and brightly-colored, antioxidant-rich juice. You can eat the fruit raw or cook it for jams, preserves, pies and other desserts.

Bosc pears are grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington. They have brownish skin and a somewhat crunchy but tender flesh that has a sweet-spicy flavor. You can enjoy them raw or use them in baking, broiling or poaching.

Pears are a low-calorie, practically fat-free source of dietary fiber, vitamin C and other nutrients. Saute them in a frying pan for an alternative to eating them raw.

The bell-shaped European pear, Pyrus communis, and the round Asian pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, are both true pears in the same plant genus. This means that you can also enjoy them in similar ways: fresh, cooked or preserved.

At the Great Exhibition in 1851, A. & F. Pears Ltd. was awarded the medal for soap, because of the soap's unique and gentle qualities. According to the Pharmaceutical Journal website, by then, the transparent cleanser had already been in production for more than four decades.

Succulent pears work famously well as finger foods, but the summery fruit also lends itself to dishes ranging from tarts and chutney to salads and relish.

Slice a pear however you like it, based on your recipe or fresh eating preference. While there is not necessarily a right or wrong way to cut pears, there are techniques you can use to make it simpler to get the most fruit. You want to remove only the core so you have all of the flesh left.

Ace is a California-based company that manufactures premium alcoholic cider beverages including the Ace Pear Cider, also known as the Ace Perry Cider. Ciders have become a favorite alternative to beer, given their sweeter flavor.

The Asian pear is similar to its cousin the traditional pear in that it is tart, slightly sweet and juicy, with a firm texture similar to that of an apple.

Fall is prime season for juicy, crisp and golden-colored Asian pears, also known as apple pears, sand pears or Chinese pears. Unlike with other pear varieties, you don’t have to wait until Asian pears are soft -- you can enjoy them when they’re crisp, right from the store.

An Asian pear is a fruit from the tree with the scientific name Pyrus pyrifolia. The Asian pear tree is native to Asia and has other names such as the nashi pear, sand pear and apple pear. The fruit has a high water content and a grainy texture compared to the familiar European pear.