Produce
Pears
Pears are close cousins to apples in both storage practice and residue pattern, with a slightly lower detection rate and one of the better fiber counts in the fruit aisle at 5.5 grams each.
Organic upgrade priority
Prioritize organic
Score 42/100 · about $2.40 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 74/100 against 22/100 for organic — a 52-point difference.
- →At about 3 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 74/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 68/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $2.29
- per lb · organic +52%
- Servings a week
- 3
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 2,018
- Conventional, 2016–2022 · 104 organic
- Data confidence
- High
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional pears
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 2,018 | 104 |
| Program years | 2016–2022 | 2016–2022 |
| Samples with any residue | 93% | 56% |
| Mean residues per sample | 5.3 | 0.9 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 74/100 | 22/100 |
| Typical price | $2.29 / lb | $3.49 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 medium (178 g).
101
calories
0.6 g
protein
5.5 g
fiber
17 g
sugar
- Fiber 20% DV
- Copper 16% DV
- Vitamin C 8% DV
How to wash pears
Like apples, pears are usually waxed after harvest. Rub for 20–30 seconds under running water rather than a quick pass.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Pears are the rare fruit picked hard on purpose — they ripen from the inside out and go grainy if left on the tree. Check ripeness by pressing the neck near the stem, not the belly.
- ◆A single pear covers a fifth of a day’s fiber, most of it in the skin.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic pears?
Yes, if you are upgrading anything. Pears scores 42/100 on organic upgrade priority — conventional samples index 74/100 against 22/100 for organic, and at roughly 3 servings a week per person that difference applies often. The upgrade costs about $2.40 a week for 2 people.
›Are pears high in pesticides?
Pears shows higher residue evidence — an index of 74/100 relative to other commodities. Across 2,018 conventional samples from 2016–2022, 93% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 5.3 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.00% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic pears cost?
About 52% more at typical U.S. retail — $2.29 per lb conventional against $3.49 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $2.40 a week.
›How should I wash pears?
Like apples, pears are usually waxed after harvest. Rub for 20–30 seconds under running water rather than a quick pass.
›What can I buy instead of pears?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Kiwi, Mangoes, Apples cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Kiwi
$0.79 / each · organic $1.19
Mangoes
$1.69 / each · organic $2.69
Apples
$2.09 / lb · organic $3.19
Blackberries
$3.49 / 6 oz container · organic $4.99