Pears, dried, sulfured, uncooked
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
These are pear halves or slices that have been dehydrated and treated with a sulfur-based preservative to maintain their light color. They possess a chewy, slightly leathery texture with a concentrated, honey-like sweetness and a mild, fruity aroma. Nutritionally, they are a dense source of quick energy from natural sugars and provide a surprisingly good amount of dietary fiber.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 95% carbs · 2% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their intensely sweet, almost candy-like flavor and satisfyingly chewy texture that makes them a perfect trail mix component or standalone snack. Their long shelf life and portability make them a staple for hiking, lunchboxes, and quick energy boosts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high concentration of natural sugars (over 60g per 100g) can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, making them a concern for diabetics or those monitoring glycemic load. The sulfur dioxide used as a preservative can trigger reactions in some individuals with asthma or sulfite sensitivity. To mitigate sugar impact, pair a small portion with a source of protein or fat like nuts or cheese, and always check labels for sulfite content if sensitive.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of dietary fiber for digestive health.
- Provides a quick, natural energy boost from concentrated fruit sugars.
- Contains antioxidants like vitamin C and copper.
- A convenient, portable, and shelf-stable fruit snack.
- Helps satisfy sweet cravings in a more nutrient-dense way than candy.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The sulfur dioxide treatment, while preserving color, actually prevents the fruit from developing its full, deep amber color and can inhibit some of the natural enzymatic browning that would occur, keeping the dried pears a pale, creamy hue.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 26.7 g |
| Energy | 262 kcal |
| Energy | 1096 kj |
| Protein | 1.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.63 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 69.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 62.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 34.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 33.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 59.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 533 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 6.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.39 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.37 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.33 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 7.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.14 mg |
| Niacin | 1.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.15 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 23.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 50.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.04 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.04 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 20.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.04 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.15 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.15 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Threonine | 0.05 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05 g |
| Leucine | 0.09 g |
| Lysine | 0.07 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.05 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.07 g |
| Arginine | 0.03 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.37 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.14 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.05 g |
| Serine | 0.07 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between sulfured and unsulfured dried pears?
Sulfured pears are treated with sulfur dioxide to preserve their light color and fresh flavor. Unsulfured (or 'natural') dried pears are darker, often brown or black, with a more intense, sometimes wine-like flavor and chewier texture, as they undergo natural oxidation.
Are dried pears a good source of fiber?
Yes, very good. At 7.5g of fiber per 100g, they provide about 25-30% of the daily recommended intake, primarily as insoluble fiber which aids digestion.
How should I store them to keep them soft?
Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. If they become too hard, you can rehydrate them by soaking in warm water, juice, or tea for 15-30 minutes, or add them directly to simmering dishes like oatmeal or stews.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.62 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 7.5 g fiber · 62.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.01 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.