Poached Pears in Syrup – Homemade Recipe with Garden-Fresh Pears
Discover the timeless recipe for poached pears in syrup, made with fresh pears from my garden. Learn about the history of poached pears, their French origins, and the surprising nutritional benefits of this elegant dessert.
Ingredients
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 star anise
- Vanilla (extract, pod, or powder)
- 4 pears
- ½ litre water
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Bring the water to the boil with the sugar, some vanilla (liquid extract, powder, pod or vanilla sugar), a small strip of lemon zest and a star anise.
- Once boiling, leave to simmer for about 15 minutes to intensify and reduce the syrup.
- Meanwhile, peel and halve the pears, rub them with lemon juice, then place them in the syrup.
- Leave to cook gently for around 20 minutes (check the pears with the tip of a knife), then allow to cool in their syrup.
- Use afterwards like any other fruit in syrup: on their own, as a base for a tart, in Poires Belle Hélène, with melted chocolate, or in a fruit salad.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 6gSugar: 55gProtein: 1g
Poached Pears in Syrup – A Classic with a Healthy Twist
Some desserts never go out of style, and poached pears in syrup—known in French as poires au sirop—is one of them. This dish perfectly combines elegance with simplicity. At its heart, it’s just pears gently simmered in a fragrant syrup of sugar, water, and spices, yet the result is a melt-in-the-mouth delicacy that feels indulgent without being overwhelming. For this recipe, I’ve had the joy of using pears straight from my own garden, which makes it even more special.
The Origins of Poached Pears
The concept of cooking fruit in syrup dates back centuries. In Europe, the technique of poaching pears is most often associated with French cuisine. Recipes for poires au sirop appear in French cookbooks from the 17th and 18th centuries, at a time when sugar was a luxury ingredient and desserts were a mark of refinement.
The most famous spin on the dish is Poires Belle Hélène, created in the 19th century by the legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier. He paired poached pears with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot chocolate sauce—a combination that remains a classic to this day.
Beyond France, many cultures have similar traditions. In Italy, pears are simmered in wine and spices; in the Middle East, they’re often infused with cardamom and rosewater. Wherever you find them, poached pears are a universal way of celebrating this versatile fruit.
Why Pears Are Special
Pears are among the oldest cultivated fruits, with records suggesting they were enjoyed as early as 1000 BC in China. Today, there are thousands of pear varieties grown across the world, from the crisp Conference pear in the UK to the buttery Comice and Bosc varieties in France.
The fruit is valued not just for its delicate sweetness but also for its health benefits. Pears are naturally rich in dietary fibre, which helps regulate digestion and maintain a healthy gut. One medium pear provides about 20% of your daily recommended fibre intake. They’re also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and copper, all of which contribute to immune function and cell health.
Perhaps most interestingly, pears are low on the glycaemic index, meaning they don’t cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. This makes them an excellent dessert option for anyone looking to enjoy something sweet while maintaining balanced energy.
The Healthier Side of a Dessert
Unlike many heavy puddings, poached pears can feel light and refreshing. Because the cooking method involves simmering rather than frying or baking with lots of fat, the dessert remains relatively low in calories. You can adjust the sweetness of the syrup by reducing the amount of sugar or replacing part of it with honey, agave, or even maple syrup for a different flavour profile.
Adding spices such as cinnamon, star anise, or vanilla not only enhances taste but also brings additional health benefits, since many of these ingredients are known for their antioxidant properties.
A Dessert for Every Occasion
Poached pears are wonderfully versatile. You can serve them simply chilled in their syrup, place them on top of a tart base, or dress them up with chocolate sauce for a dinner party dessert. If you go the chocolate route, be sure to use the ultimate chocolate sauce to add that extra level of decadence.
They’re equally delicious as part of a fruit salad or with a dollop of dairy-free yoghurt for a lighter treat.
For me, though, nothing beats the satisfaction of preparing them with pears from my own garden. The fruit carries the freshness of the season, and transforming it into such an elegant dish feels like the perfect way to celebrate both tradition and nature’s bounty.
