This month, December, is National Pear Month.

The pear is the fruit of the trees of the same name. The edible pear has been eaten since prehistoric times, and is native to Europe, north Africa and across to Asia.

Not all pears are actually pear shaped. They are eaten fresh, dried, as juice and preserved in tins, as well as in jams and jellies and in a fermented pear cider known as perry.

Pears have, like many fruits, quite a lot of nutritional value, being high in vitamin C and dietary fibre.

Image: By Keith Weller (USDA, Image Number K5299-1.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons