Similar in appearance to a Packam Pear, the skin transforms from green to pale yellow when ripe and is covered in patches of russeting, prominent lenticels, and small, smooth bumps. The flesh is white to ivory and is fine-grained, moist, and soft encasing a central core with a few, black-brown seeds.

American Pears are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. They can be served fresh, out-of-hand as a snack, sliced and mixed into leafy green salads, tossed in fruit or pasta salad, layered on cheese boards with nuts and other fruits, blended into smoothies, or sliced over vanilla ice cream.