What is National Pears Helene Day?
National Pears Hélène Day is a food holiday in France that includes warm poached pears, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce.
Pears Hélène is a dessert made from pears poached in sugar syrup and served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and crystallized violets. Around 1864, French Chef Auguste Escoffier created the dessert in honor of Jacques Offenbach's operetta La belle Hélène.
Pears Hélène's simpler versions have been created over time by replacing poached pears with canned pears, and the delicate crystallized violets have been replaced with sliced almonds. These updates have made it possible for more cooks to make this must-have dessert.
FUN PEAR FACTS:
