Did you know that pears are unique among fruits because they don’t ripen on the tree? Instead, they are harvested when they are mature but still unripe. However, with a little patience and some knowledge, you can ensure that your pear reaches its peak flavor.

Determining when a pear is perfectly ripe can be a bit tricky. While the skin color of varieties like Bartlett brightens as they ripen, most other pear varieties show little change in color. For these non-Bartlett pears, the best way to judge ripeness is to use the “Check the Neck” method. Simply apply gentle pressure to the neck or stem end of the pear with your thumb. If it gives in to the pressure, then it’s ripe and ready to be enjoyed.

To ripen your pears, leave the firm, unripe ones at room temperature. Check the neck daily by gently pressing it, and once it yields to pressure, it’s ripe and can be eaten. If you want to save the ripe pear for later use, refrigerate it to slow down the ripening process. Refrigerated pears can be kept for up to five days.

When it comes to preventing browning, a common issue with cut or peeled pears, you can keep your fruit looking fresh by dipping it in a mixture of 50% water and 50% lemon juice. This solution helps prevent oxidation and browning, although it doesn’t affect the taste or quality of the pear.

Remember not to refrigerate an unripe pear, as it needs to ripen at room temperature. Once the pear has ripened, you can refrigerate it at a temperature between 35º and 45ºF. Refrigeration will slow down further ripening but not halt it entirely, giving you enough time to incorporate the fresh pears into your recipes.

If you’re eager to speed up the ripening process, place underripe pears in a fruit bowl at room temperature near other ripening fruits such as bananas. Bananas naturally release ethylene, a gas that aids in ripening, and this can help accelerate the ripening of your pears. And if you end up with overripe pears, you can still make good use of them by blending them into smoothies, soups, sauces, or purees.

Before consuming or preparing your pears, make sure to wash them thoroughly. Use cold water and either your hands or a soft-bristled produce scrub brush to gently but vigorously scrub the entire exterior, paying special attention to the indentations near the stem and calyx. This process, which should take about 15-20 seconds, helps eliminate any dirt or bacteria that may be present on the pear’s surface. Even if you plan to peel the pear, it’s still important to wash it.

For more information on proper food handling and food safety practices at home, you can visit www.befoodsafe.org.