Most store-bought pears will be firm and often need to be ripened a little before eating. But what is the best way to ripen pears at home?
For starters, make sure to select firm, unblemished pears with zero bruises or torn skin for best results. Also, avoid refrigerating unripe pears as it can stunt their ability to ripen.
Here are our three principle methods for ripening pears:
The slow method: Kitchen counter
Pears will happily ripen on your kitchen counter in 4-7 days. Place them in a bowl and check on them regularly to see when they’re ready to eat.
The faster method: Paper bag
Place the pears in a paper bag and leave on the counter to ripen. This method should take about 2-4 days to ripen the pears. The natural gases produced by the pears will become trapped in the bag and help ripen the fruit faster. To avoid spoilage, check on the pears every day and refrain from using plastic bags that won’t breathe and can cause the fruit to go bad.
The fastest method: Paper bag and ripe apples
Place the pears in a paper bag, throw in a couple of ripe apples and set aside. Ethylene gas will naturally be emitted by the ripe apples, causing the pears to ripen much faster in 1-3 days. Once again, make sure to check on the pears regularly to avoid any spoilage and do not use a plastic bag.
