Since their seasons overlap, the pear is sometimes overlooked in favor of the flashier apple. But it’d be a mistake to ignore this fragrant, juicy-sweet fruit—you’d be missing out on something really special.
To ensure you make it home with the best pears possible, I talked to an expert about what to avoid when choosing them at the grocery store.
Don’t Buy Pears if You Notice This Red Flag
Unlike apples, pears’ texture and flavor actually improve as they ripen. Much like peaches, they soften and become sweeter and juicier as they sit on the counter or at the grocery store. Most people prefer them this way—the majority of pear varieties can be a bit too hard and astringent when underripe.
This means that if they sit on the supermarket shelf for too long, pears can become mushy and easily damaged. These are the pears you should look out for. “Pears don’t have to be perfect to purchase, but you’ll want to avoid those that are too soft, bruised, or showing signs of decay or shrivel,” says Brianna Shales, marketing director of Stemilt Growers LLC. “These are signs that the pear is past its prime, so you won’t have long to enjoy them at home and may find internal browning inside the pear once cut.”
Instead, go for a pear that is free of deep cuts, bruises, or mushy spots and is generally firm when you hold it in your hand.
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How Ripe Is Too Ripe?
Because pears ripen as they sit, Shales recommends buying pears at different levels of ripeness if you plan to eat them throughout the week. “Pick some for eating within a few days by checking the neck and seeing that it gives to slight pressure. Then, choose some that do not because they can be enjoyed later in the week,” she says. Just avoid buying pears that are super soft around the stem, since this can be a sign that the fruit is overripe.
If you’re going for canned pear-level sweetness and juiciness, wait until a pear is fully ripe to enjoy it. For baking or cooking, pears that are just short of ripe work well because they don’t completely fall apart when cooked. If you’d like a bit more crunch, you can enjoy them a day or two earlier. In fact, some varieties, like the Happi Pear, are bred to be eaten at all levels of ripeness. When still hard, they are crunchy and a bit tart; when ripe, they are soft and sweet. Both are delicious.
Ripe pears can be stored in the fridge for a few days to slow their ripening, so you don’t have to time things exactly right. If you buy them at the perfect stage, simply stash them in the crisper until you’re ready to eat them.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes