Rosemary pears, sometimes labelled Rocha or a similar European variety, have a delicate, almost floral sweetness with a fine, slightly grainy texture that softens beautifully as they ripen. Their skin often carries a soft green-to-golden blush, and the flesh underneath is juicy without being overly watery, which makes them a pleasant change from apples in a fruit bowl. Pears like this are wonderfully versatile in the kitchen. Slice one over a cheese board alongside sharp cheddar or blue cheese for balance, or poach it in a light syrup with cinnamon for a simple dessert.

Thin slivers folded into a green salad with walnuts add a nice textural contrast, and diced pear stirred through porridge brings natural sweetness without extra sugar. The trick with pears is patience, most are picked while still firm and need a few days at room temperature to ripen properly. Press gently near the stem end, if it gives slightly, the pear is ready to eat, and this is a far more reliable test than looking at the skin colour. Once ripe, move them to the fridge to slow things down and enjoy within a few days for the best texture.

QuicKart keeps a good rotation of seasonal pears in stock and delivers them fresh with free delivery across the UAE, so you can see the rest of our fresh fruits range and plan your week's fruit bowl in one go.