In
Inseason Produce & Ripeness SSOT
PE

Pear

pair • pome

🟡 Climacteric (Ripens Off Vine) 💨 Ethylene Producer
Ripeness Checklist Storage & Ethylene Seasonal Calendar Varieties & PLU Kitchen & Pairings

How to Tell if Pear is Ripe

Store Check

Pear can continue to ripen at room temperature after harvest. Look for color changes and slight give near the stem.

👁 Visual Checks

  • Look for uniform color without green under-tones
  • Check for matte/dull skin rather than shiny plastic finish
  • Look for natural sugar spots or field marks

✋ Tactile & Aroma

  • Heft: Should feel heavy for its size (indicates juice content)
  • Give: Slight yield under gentle palm pressure, never thumb poking
  • Aroma: Fragrant sweet smell at the stem end

How to Store Pear

Optimal Spot fridge
Shelf Life (Ripe) 3–5 Days
Ethylene Sensitivity High (Isolate)

Storage Protocol: Keep on the counter at room temperature until fully ripe. Once ripe, move to the crisper drawer to slow enzymatic breakdown.

Ethylene Warning: This produce releases significant ethylene gas. Do not store in enclosed bags with leafy greens, herbs, or broccoli.

Peak Seasonality & Harvest Geography

USDA / AMS Verified

In northern temperate regions, local pear harvest usually peaks from August through October. In Europe, local harvest often extends from August through November. Pears still show up year-round in many stores, but they rely on storage and a stronger late-winter through spring import pipeline than apples because pears do not hold as long in storage.

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Global Growing Geography: Temperate regions globally, notably China, Europe, and the US (Washington/Oregon)

Common Varieties & PLU Codes

Variety Name PLU Codes Characteristics
Bartlett 4409 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Bosc 4413 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Anjou (Green/Red) 4408, 4211 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Comice 4414 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Asian Pear (Hosui/20th Century) 4406 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Seckel 4422 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Starkrimson 4418 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Forelle 4416 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar
Taylor's Gold 4421 Standard commercial supermarket cultivar

Kitchen Pairings & Chef Hacks

Flavor Pairings

Gorgonzola CheeseWalnutsArugulaHoneyRed Wine

Chef Hacks & Prep Tricks

💡 Poached Pear: Simmer firm Bosc pears in red wine, cinnamon, and star anise.
Pocket Encyclopedia

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Compare Head-to-Head

Compare sweetness, sugar content, and glycemic indicators against other fruits.

Pear vs Blueberry → Pear vs Apple → Pear vs Peach →