The Trick to Choosing a Perfectly Ripe Pear

Biting into a ripe, juicy fruit is one of the best feelings come pear season. But we've all experienced the letdown of biting into a pear only to be met with hard, crunchy flesh. Nothing is more disappointing, especially since an unripe pear is significantly less flavorful than a ripe pear with almost no juice.

Most pears don't have any external signifiers to alert us to ripeness, so it can be hard to tell when is the right time to take a bite. Thankfully, there are a few ways to ensure pears are at their peak ripeness before diving in.

Are Pears Meant to Be Hard or Soft?

When pears are harvested, they're still hard because they ripen off the tree. Usually, the pears you'll find in the grocery store are still hard, and not yet soft and ready to eat. However, different varieties of pears have different textures. For example, a green D'anjou pear is much firmer when ripe than a softer Bosc pear. While ripe pears can be firm, if they're hard or crunchy like an apple, they're not ripe yet.

How to Tell If a Pear Is Ripe

If you happen to have a few Bartlett pears, it's easy to tell if they're ripe because they change from green to honey-yellow when ready. Other common varieties like D'anjou, Bosc, and Seckle don't change color when ripe; even if they do experience a color change, it's an unreliable indicator of ripeness.

For all types of pears, the best way to tell if they are ripe is to gently squeeze the flesh near the stem. The neck of the pear is where it's the thinnest, and you can get an accurate read on the firmness of the fruit. What you're looking for is a slight give when applying pressure to the pear's neck.

If it feels firm and hard, it's best to wait a few more days. If it feels very soft or your finger easily breaks the skin, bad news — your pear is overripe and possibly close to going bad. A slight softness means you're good to go.

Get the recipe: Salted Caramel Pear Pie Bars

How to Ripen Pears

If you give your pear a quick squeeze and notice it is still too hard, there's a little trick to speed up the ripening process. Put your pears into a paper bag with a few bananas or an apple; the riper, the better. These fruits give off ethylene gas that causes the fruit around them to ripen as well.

Normally, you'd want to avoid this as the influx of ethylene gas near ripe fruit means the fruit will quickly become rotten. In this case, however, harnessing a bit of that gas can help your pears ripen much faster. Depending on how hard your pears are, a night in a bag with some bananas or an apple might be enough to get them to the ideal ripeness.

If your pears are totally ripe and ready to go after the squeeze test, but you're not ready to eat them, pop them in the fridge. Since pears ripen on the counter at room temperature, placing them in the cool temperatures of the fridge will significantly slow any further ripening.

It's important to note, though, that the fridge won't stop them from over-ripening and eventually going bad. Aim to eat pears in the fridge after three to five days for the best flavor and texture.

Can You Eat a Pear That Isn't Ripe?

Eating a pear that isn't ripe is safe, but we wouldn't recommend it. The texture can be hard and difficult to chew, which is unpleasant, especially compared to the buttery texture of a perfectly ripe pear.

Additionally, unripe pears contain certain chemicals known to cause gas bloating that can be painful; thankfully, these chemicals are neutralized as the fruit ripens. Overall, it's an extremely underwhelming experience that will make you miss the flavor and texture of a perfectly ripe pear even more. If possible, we recommend waiting that extra few days for your pear to reach peak deliciousness.

Related:

• What Is a Prickly Pear and What Do You Do With It?
• Our Favorite Pear Desserts to Sweeten Your Fall
• Salad Recipes to Make the Most of Pear Season