Pear Nectar (No Added Sugar)
Pear nectar is a refreshing way to enjoy a fresh fruit beverage without any added sugar or unnecessary ingredients.
When I was a little girl, my parents used to drive our family to Italy in the summer to visit my maternal grandparents, and many of our relatives. Pear nectar is one of my best memories from those trips.
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Memories from Italy
It was so wonderful for me for so many different reasons: the weather was fabulous compared to Scotland; I was allowed to run around the village unsupervised; we would go to the beach, and I could actually go into the water (not like the lochs in Scotland, which were always freezing!) and of course, the food was incredible!
One of my best memories is of Zia (Aunt) Maria going under my nonni’s (grandparents’) exterior stairs where there was a little storage cupboard, and pulling out tiny homemade bottles of “succo di frutta” (“fruit juice” but it means fruit puree) for my brothers and I to drink on a hot day.
Another no-added-sugar smoothie with raspberry, nectarine and fig.
She used to make peach nectar, apricot nectar and pear nectar, and to this day, I can remember exactly how they taste. Each one was better than another, and I never could decide which was my favorite, because they all tasted like nectar from heaven!
You can read about more recent trips to Italy here on my site by clicking on the TRAVEL tab at the top of my page and then clicking on ITALY (or any other country listed.)
I was in an Italian grocery store last week and I spied this little bottle of “succo di frutta” made from pear, and it reminded me of when I was very young. It was made in Italy, and I bought it thinking it would taste like my Zia Maria’s, however, I didn’t read the ingredients until I arrived home. What a disappointment!
Like everything else, so many things change, and often not for the better. This pear nectar contains sugar, glucose-fructose syrup and other added ingredients! What a shame, when all that is really necessary is some tasty fruit, the way it used to be made.
Pear Nectar
Serves 2
PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
- 2 large, organic, ripe pears
- a few ice cubes
Just place the pears and ice in a blender and blend. No need to add any sugar, as pears are sweet.
This is what the pear nectar looks like; so delicious! This must be enjoyed immediately, as the drink will get thick and turn brown if left for some time, which won’t be very appealing!
You can do the same with apricots or peaches, or really any fruit you enjoy. There are some fruits to which you’d really like to add some sweetener to, such as strawberries or raspberries. However, remember to keep your options open to things like honey or maple syrup, which are all fabulous when used in smoothie and blended drinks.
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Pear Nectar
Ingredients
- 2 pears (ripe)
- ice cubes (a few)
Instructions
- Place cored and destemmed pears in a blender.
- Blend with some ice, for a smoother result.
Notes
Nutrition
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How did your Nonna keep it under the stairs? How was she able to preserve it to keep it fresh all summer?
My son lives 70 miles away. He is terminally ill. I want to make him pear nectar and take it to him. How can I do that?
Hi Laura, I’m so sorry to hear that. Can you bring your pears and blender to him? That would be the best option so that he gets the freshest nectar/juice. Good luck, CC
Just what I needed for my Butter Lettuce Salad with Gorgonzola and Pear Dressing. I believe it will be perfect
A friend took me to a little pear patch nearby. And a neighbor was kind enough to share her pear tree this year. I can’t wait to try pear nectar! Also, I really enjoyed reading your accompanying story. Thank yoy
Oh thank you, Trish, I appreciate it!
That’s interesting, I actually have never thought of drinking a pear :)