I don't have anything to compare to, as I haven't eaten the "pears" from my other varieties. The ones I did eat, from the purple opuntia, were bland. It's also a "dwarf" variety, and is probably bred more for looks than anything. I have a culinary variety that I started last year. If it gives me any pears, I'll be sure to try some. I think it's mostly eaten for the paddles though.