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Mahalo natural food expert Kristina Jackson shows you how to pick the best pear.
Step 1: Check the Appearance of the Pear
When choosing a pear, it is important to pay attention to the color, texture and shape. A perfectly ripe pear is more yellow in color, but if you plan to save the pears for later, it might be smart to buy pears that are brighter green so that there is time for it to ripen. Make sure that the pear is bright and even in color, has a symmetric shape and has no dark spots.c Step 2: Check Ripeness
Gently squeeze the pear (the stem and neck areas indent the most under pressure)
Ripening at Home
Ripening your pears at home is an important step to enhance the flavor. First, pick firm ones. Then, put the pears, along with an apple or orange, in a paper bag (the release of the ethylene gas speeds up the ripening process). Pierce the bag in several areas, fold over the top and then set aside for two to seven days.c
References
Meet Our Experts
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Kristina Jackson
A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Columbia University, natural food chef Kristina Jackson is a certified holistic health and lifestyle consultant. She is also the editor of the blog "The Whole Idea" which, according to Jackson, "takes us on a journey to experience all that life has to offer…naturally. Clean food, good fun and healthy, conscious living."
Quick Tips
- Ripe pears are more yellow in color
- Bosc pears are ideal for cooking
- D'Anjou pears are good raw
- Ripening a pear at home adds to the flavor
Varieties of Pears
There are over 3,000 types of pears known across the world. Some of the more popular pears in the U.S. include the D'Anjou and Bosc. D'Anjou pears are in season September through May. These pears have a mild flavor and firm texture. These sweet and juicy D'Anjous are good for eating raw or cooking.
Bosc pears are harvested September through April. These pears are ideal for baking because their crispness helps maintain the shape when cooked.c
