Determining when pears are ripe and ready to eat involves using a few simple methods that can ensure you enjoy them at their peak flavor and texture.
Pears ripen from the inside out, which means they may appear firm on the outside even when they are perfectly ripe inside.
One of the most reliable ways to tell if a pear is ripe is by checking the neck, just below the stem. Gently press your thumb or finger on this area. If it yields slightly and feels soft, the pear is ready to eat.
This is because the flesh near the stem softens first, and a small amount of pressure should create a slight indentation. Additionally, you can observe the color of the pear.
For many varieties, the skin color changes as the pear ripens. For example, a Bartlett pear, which starts off green, turns yellow when ripe.
However, this method is not foolproof since some pear varieties do not change color much during ripening. Another way to check ripeness is by gently sniffing the pear near the stem.
A ripe pear will have a sweet, fragrant aroma. If the pear does not emit any noticeable scent, it may need more time to ripen. If you're unsure, it’s a good idea to let pears ripen at room temperature.
Depending on how hard or firm the pear is when you buy it, this can take anywhere from a few days to a week. Once ripe, pears should be eaten within a few days as they can quickly become overripe, soft, and mushy.