If the flesh is hard when you press down, your pears are not ripe. [3] X Research source If you plan to eat them a few days from now, purchasing unripe pears is perfectly fine. If the flesh slightly gives when you press down, your pears are ripe and can be eaten right away. [4] X Research source Softness or bruising anywhere else on a pear could indicate it is overripe and will impact the taste and texture.
The temperature of your refrigerator should be set at or below 40 °F (4 °C). [8] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source If you’ve cut up your pears, wrap them tightly in a bag or container before refrigerating to limit air exposure.
If a pear is not rotten but just slightly overripe, it can still be used in a variety of recipes, including smoothies, jams and dressings.
Placing your pears in a fruit bowl with other ethylene-producing fruits, like bananas, apples and avocados, will also speed up the ripening process. [11] X Research source
Before cutting pears, peel and core them for best results. If you’re not comfortable completing these steps with just a knife, a variety of fruit peeling and cutting tools is available to help make this step easier.
Pre-treating the pears before storing them can significantly reduce browning. [13] X Research source
Freezing the pears before placing them in their long-term storage bag or container will allow the pieces to freeze individually instead of sticking together.
If you’re using a bag to store the pears, push out as much air as possible to limit browning and freezer burn. [15] X Research source Label the bag or container with the date and name of the fruit so you’ll be able to quickly identify what it is and how long its been in your freezer.
Properly frozen pears can last 10-12 months. [17] X Research source
