Storage Tips

Pears

Pears are unique from their tree fruit brothers and sisters as they ripen from the inside out! To ensure that your pears have a juicy crunch that is full of flavor, it is important that you know how to select, ripen and store pears the correct way.

If you are unsure how to ripen pears, we have found a couple of great ways to help you along the way. Unsure if your pear is ripe? Just check the neck!

Some pears, like Bartlett, will change color as they ripen, however most do not, so don’t rely on that trick for all varieties! After your pears have reached desired ripeness, make sure to enjoy them within just a few days.
Freezing pears is another great way to maintain their flavor. You can either slice your pears into even, thin slices and brush with a water-lemon mixture to prevent browning or you can boil them in a sugar water syrup. To syrup pack pears, boil three cups of cold water and two cups of sugar and add in pear slices for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and cool, then pack the pears into freezer safe bags and freeze. To dry pack, place the pears into a single layer on a cookie sheet, freeze until solid and place in freezer safe bags.
Around the holiday season, poaching pears is also another great option and can be done if you follow these five steps!