What do ripe pears look like

While most types of fruit reach their peak on the branch or vine, pears need to be picked before ripening. If left on the tree, pears ripen from the inside out and, by the time they seem to be at the ripe stage, they are beyond it — usually mushy with a mealy texture beneath the skin.

To avoid such results, you must pick pears when they are mature but not yet fully ripened. Figuring out the answer to "when are pears ripe? 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. If you store the fruit in a paper bag, you can speed up this process so that it will ripen in just a few days. You may also choose to store your harvested pears with an apple or banana — fruits that are more prone to releasing ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. Beware, ethylene gas may cause your pears to break down faster than anticipated, starting from the inside out, so it may be better to be patient and let the pears ripen on their own at room temperature.

Pear season is coming! In a typical year, it starts in August for those of us in zones 5 and 6. Ethylene also affects changes in color and flavor, converts starch to sugar, and causes the fruit to soften. After a couple of days in the bag, the pears should be just right. Once pears are ripe, they have a relatively short shelf life, so eat them right away or refrigerate them and eat them within a day or two. Pears are becoming increasingly popular fall and winter fruits, and there are now many different varieties found in good markets.

Enjoy uncovering their potential! Flavor well worth the wait 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! All it takes is cold water Thoroughly wash pears immediately prior to eating or preparation. Under cold, drinkable water, use your clean hands or a soft-bristled produce scrub brush to gently but vigorously scrub the entire exterior of the pear, taking extra care to cleanse the indentations near the stem at the top and calyx at the bottom of the pear.