A ripe pear can present a varied flavor profile, and it can also tantalize people with its satisfying texture. People may need to wait a few days before the pear reaches that point, but that wait will be worth it.
Those who are not familiar with pears may have had unpleasant experiences with them in the past. There is a good chance that those bad experiences were because of unripe pears.
Pears need to be enjoyed when they are most flavorful. This article will detail how long for pears to ripen. People can also learn more about the process of ripening pears by reading on.
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How Long Will It Take for Pears to Ripen?
How long for pears to ripen? The general timeline for pear ripening is four to seven days. However, relying solely on that timeline is not recommended.
The problem is that several factors can influence the ripening process for pears. Failing to account for those factors could be the difference between enjoying a perfectly ripe pear and biting into something that has turned into mush.
How the Type of Pear Affects Ripening Times
First off, people need to identify the type of pear they have if they want to figure out when it will be ready to eat. The four common types of pears grown and sold in the United States are Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, and Comice pears.
Anjou Pears
Anjou pears are not the best ones to eat raw, but they are great to use in desserts. According to Bon Appetit, Anjou pears have a tart flavor. That tartness can cut through the sweetness of many desserts.
The ripening process for Anjou pears typically takes two to three days.
Bartlett Pears
Bartlett pears are next, and they feature a sweet flavor complemented by a somewhat creamy texture. They are arguably the best pears to eat raw.
Bartlett pears will need about four to five days to ripen properly.
Bosc Pears
Bosc pears are probably the most versatile among the available options. They are sweet but not to the same level as the Bartlett pears. They also present a crisp texture.
People can eat Bosc pears raw and still appreciate their flavor. Then again, a Bosc pear will do fine even if it is added to a dessert.
Patience is required for those who prefer Bosc pears. They may need a week to ripen, but some are ready in about five days.
Comice Pears
Lastly, people can also pick up some Comice pears for eating. Comice pears tend to present a subtle flavor. The flavor is still sweet, but it is toned down significantly.
Comice pears also famously have a buttery texture. That buttery texture is pleasing if the pear is still raw. Cooking down a Comice pear is not recommended because it can quickly turn to mush.
Note that Comice pears take five to seven days to ripen. They take as long to ripen as Bosc pears do.
How Does the Method of Storage Affect Pear Ripening?
Different types of pears ripen at different times. However, the type of pear is not the only factor people should keep in mind as they try to get the ripening process going.
The way you store them will also impact how long the ripening process will take. Detailed below are the different storage methods and how they affect the pears.
Storing Pears in the Refrigerator
Many people instinctively store the food they buy in the refrigerator. Often, they do so without realizing how refrigeration may affect the items they recently bought. For instance, refrigerating a pear will actively slow down the pace at which it ripens.
Slowing down the ripening process for pears is not necessarily a bad thing. It may even be helpful to folks who are planning dinner or lunch parties ahead of time. They can store the pears in the fridge and wait until the day of the party to serve them.
Pears that are picked commercially are kept in cold storage for their journey to your grocery store. Putting your pears in the refrigerator is similar to commercial cold storage in that it keeps the ripening process moving slowly.
Leaving the Pears on the Counter
After purchasing some pears, people can also decide to leave them exposed on the kitchen counter or a table. Leaving the pears on the counter does not slow down or speed up the ripening process.
A typical Bartlett pear will take four to five days to ripen if it is on the kitchen counter. This is probably the easiest way to ripen a pear. It is also easy to check up on the pear when using this method because it is always exposed.
Placing the Pears in a Paper Bag
Another method of storing pears involves keeping them inside a paper bag. That method is for those who do not want to wait long for the pears to ripen.
Why do pears ripen faster when they are in a paper bag? That is because they are constantly exposed to their own gases. Gases produced by the pears are in the bag, and they will help speed up the ripening process.
Pears stored in paper bags ripen quickly. Even Bosc and Comice pears may turn ripe after four days. Bartlett pears may only need two days.
People who follow the paper bag method should set reminders to check on the pears. It is easy to forget about the pears when they are stored like that. Set those reminders so the pears do not become overripe.
Keeping the Pears in a Paper Bag with Other Fruits
Some people may feel that waiting two to four days for pears to ripen is still too long. Those who want to eat their pears as soon as possible can keep them in a paper bag along with other fruits. Apples, bananas, and even pairs can all be used for this method as long as they are ripe.
This method works because the ethylene gases emitted by the ripe fruits speed up the ripening process for the pears. Unripe pears may be ready to eat after one day if you use this method. Bosc and Comice pears will likely be ripe after just three days.
How Can People Check the Ripeness of a Pear?
Checking if a pear is ripe is easy enough. All someone has to do is apply pressure to the portion of the pear closest to the stem.
If the pear stays firm after applying pressure, that means it is still unripe. If the pear has some give, it is ripe and ready to eat.
The general ripening period for pears is four to seven days, but different factors can change that. People need to be fully aware of those factors to enjoy pears when they are at their peak.