Pears should be harvested when fully formed, but not ripe. Most years that time is early August for Bartletts, but this year everything seems to be early, so it’s important to watch your pears for when they are mature, says OSU master gardeners.

How do you know when Bartlett pears are ready to pick?

The best way to tell if a pear is ready to harvest is by taking the fruit in your hand and tilting it horizontally. The mature fruit will easily come away from the branch at this angle (as opposed to its natural vertical hanging position). If it is not yet ready for picking, it will hold on to the branch.

What does a Bartlett pear look like when it’s ripe?

Look instead at the stem end, which will be shriveled when the pear is fully ripe. Highly aromatic with dense, sweet-spicy flesh — a popular dessert pear! Skin does not change color, but stem end shrivels when ripe. Ideal for baking, poaching and cooking.

What month do Bartlett pears ripen?

The Bartlett Pear Harvested between August and February, it features the traditional pear shape. Soft and juicy when ripe, they usually arrive at the store while green. Bring a few home and watch them turn yellow-green and then yellow with red highlights as they ripen on the kitchen counter.

Do Bartlett pears ripen off the tree?

Unlike other fruit, pears do NOT ripen properly when left on the tree. They are one of the only fruits that must be picked unripe and allowed to ripen off the tree. If left on the tree, a pear will over-ripen from the inside out and the center will be mush and rotten before the outside gets soft.

How do you ripen Bartlett pears?

Placing the pears in a brown paper bag keeps ethylene close to the fruit and speeds up ripening. Any bag would work, but paper is preferred over plastic as it allows the fruit to breathe. Another way to ripen pears is to place them next to fruits like bananas, avocados, or apples (perhaps in a fruit bowl).

How can you tell if pears are ripe?

To test if a pear is ripe, apply gentle pressure near the stem end. If it gives slightly, it’s most likely ready to be eaten. Pears are one of the few fruits that don’t ripen successfully on the tree. They’re picked when they have reached full size, but before the onset of ripening.

How do you pick a Bartlett pear?

How to choose: The best perfectly ripened Bartlett pears will be golden and fragrant and will have a slight softness at the neck. Don’t worry if the fruit shows some russeting — that’s only skin-deep and doesn’t affect the flavor.

When should I pick my pears?

Pears should be harvested when fully formed, but not ripe. Most years that time is early August for Bartletts, but this year everything seems to be early, so it’s important to watch your pears for when they are mature.

Are Bartlett pears good eating?

Because Bartletts have a definitive flavor and sweetness, they are a good all-around choice for many forms of processing. Consider them in preserves, syrups, chutneys, and more. They also make excellent dried pears.

How long does it take for a Bartlett pear tree to bear fruit?

While growing pears isn’t difficult, most trees need three years or more to start producing fruit and can take five to seven years to bear a full crop. Once they get going, pear trees can live for 75 years or more and produce heavily.

What color is a ripe Bartlett pear?

The Yellow Bartlett’s skin transforms from green to yellow as it ripens, and the Red Bartlett ripens from a dark red to a brilliant red as it becomes sweeter and juicier during the ripening process. Remember, all pears ripen at room temperature!

How do you store pears after picking them?

How to store and ripen them: If the pears are not ripe, store at room temperature in a single layer until they darken in color. Once they are ripe, store in the refrigerator where they can actually last for a few weeks. Again, if you want to speed up the ripening, put them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple.

What to do with pears that are not ripe?

Place underripe pears in a fruit bowl at room temperature near other ripening fruit like bananas, which naturally give off ethylene and will help speed up the ripening process. And if you find yourself with a few too many overripe pears, blend them into smoothies, soups, sauces and purees!

How do you chill pears?

In order to ripen to a juicy sweetness, the fruit needs to chill in cold storage at 30 F. (-1 C.), followed by ripening at room temperatures of 65 to 70 F. (18-21 C.). Without a period of chilling, pears will eventually decompose without ever turning ripe.

How do you store pears at home?

Pear Storage & Ripening Tips

1. Unlike other fruits, pears ripen from the inside out so by the time they are soft on the outside, the inside flesh may be overripe and mealy.
2. Ripe pears should be stored in a refrigerator set at 35 to 45 degrees.
3. Leave unripe pears at room temperature in order to induce ripening.