Pears — a great fall / winter seasonal fruit — are tasty and delicious fruits that are loaded with fiber and other nutrients. They’re perfect for eating out of hand, grilling and poaching; adding to salads, smoothies, sauces and baked goods; and pairing with cheese.
Nutrition
Pears provide health-promoting phytochemicals (plant-based nutrients) and are a good source of vitamin C and potassium — a mineral that helps keep blood pressure at the right level. Pears are also high in pectin fiber, which may help lower cholesterol and provide other health benefits. Plus, a medium-size pear is only about 100 calories, making it a low-calorie, sweet treat.
Seasonal Availability
Here’s a guide to availability for five popular pear varieties:
Yellow Bartlett: August–January
Red Bartlett: August–January
Green Anjou: October–June
Red Anjou: October–May
Bosc: September–April
Flavor and Texture
Ripe pears can vary from a crisp texture to smooth and creamy. Flavors can range from spicy to sweet and sweet-tart, depending on the variety. Some pears, such as Bosc, Bartlett and not-yet-ripe Anjou, retain their texture during cooking and are great for baking and cooking. Other varieties are better for eating out of hand or using in salads and desserts.
Pear Ripeness
Pears are one of the few fruits that ripen best when off the tree. If left to ripen on the tree, they can become mealy. They’re picked when fully mature, but not completely ripe. So if the pears you find in the store are hard and green, don’t worry — they’ll ripen within a few days.
Selection
Look for fragrant, unblemished pears. Select firm, slightly underripe pears for cooking and baking. Pears that are riper may be too moist for adding to baked goods such as muffins and quick breads. Purchase riper pears if you plan to use them right away.
Testing for Ripeness
Not all pears change color as they ripen. The best way to check for ripeness is to gently press near the neck — not the middle — of the pear with your thumb. When a pear is ripe, it “gives” slightly to gentle pressure. Pears ripen from the inside out, so if the body of the pear is soft, it’s probably overripe.
Storage
Once you bring pears home, you can store them on the counter if they are not yet ripe. To speed ripening, place pears in a paper bag and check every day to make sure they are not getting too ripe. To slow ripening, store pears in the refrigerator. Ripe pears will last three to five days in the refrigerator; underripe pears will last about a week at room temperature.
Preventing Browning
The flesh of cut pears turns brown when exposed to air. You can slow this natural process by brushing the cut surface with a mixture of lemon juice and water.
One-Pound Yields
1 pound pears = 3 medium pears
1 pound pears = 2 1/2 cups sliced pears
1 pound pears = 2 1/3 cups chopped pears
Knowing the basics of selecting, ripening, storing and using pears makes it easy to enjoy these fruits — especially when they’re in season.
