3 Methods to Store Pears for Optimal Freshness

When pears begin appearing at farmers markets and grocery stores, it's a sign that fall has arrived. If you've brought home a large harvest of pears, you may be wondering how to store them to extend their shelf life. Here are a few easy tips to help you store your pears properly.

How Long Can Pears Be Stored?

Best Locations to Store Pears

Where you store pears depends on their ripeness and when you plan to enjoy them. Pears continue to ripen when left at room temperature. If you bring home pears that are still firm with no give, place them on the counter for a few days to ripen. For faster ripening, try putting them in a bowl or paper bag with apples or bananas, as these fruits release ethylene gas, which helps accelerate the process.

While it's typically not recommended to store fruits like bananas with other produce as they can cause quicker spoilage, it can be beneficial for underripe pears. When pears give slightly to the touch, they’re ready to eat.

How to Store Pears in the Refrigerator

If your pears are ripe to your liking, placing them in the fridge will help maintain their freshness for three to five days. While refrigeration slows down the ripening process, it won't stop it completely. Pears are sensitive and bruise easily, so handle them gently to avoid skin breaks or mushy spots.

For optimal storage, place pears in a paper bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge. This will keep them fresh the longest.

Storing Pears at Room Temperature

Pears do not ripen on the tree, which means they need some time at room temperature to reach the perfect texture for eating. Some of this ripening happens during transport and at the store, but many pears are still firm when they make it home.

The simplest way to encourage pears to ripen is by storing them at room temperature. Most varieties will ripen nicely in a large fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. Placing pears in a bowl with other fruits can speed up ripening, but it can also cause them to spoil faster if left together for too long.

Give your pears some space to breathe and avoid stacking them on top of each other. Their shelf life at room temperature depends on how ripe they are and what fruits are nearby, but generally, you can expect them to last between five to ten days, with an average of about a week.

How to Freeze Pears

Freezing pears is an excellent way to preserve your harvest when pear season peaks, allowing you to enjoy them throughout the year. While frozen pears are perfect for cooking and baking, the freezing process does alter their texture. They will still be delicious, but defrosted pears won't have the same firmness as fresh ones.

• To freeze pears, first start by inspecting them for any blemishes or slimy areas. If you find any, be sure to thoroughly cut them out.
• Next, peel and core your pears; you can simply cut them in halves or quarters, or if you know you plan to use them for pie filling or pear jam, dice them. Spread them out on a silicone mat or foil-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least three hours.
• Once pears are fully frozen, move them to a freezer-safe plastic storage container or zip-top bag. Label and date your pears, and use them within one year.

How to Tell If Pears Have Gone Bad

Pears have delicate skin, making it easy to spot any imperfections. However, small surface defects don't necessarily mean the entire pear is spoiled. You can cut around blemishes, but if they are large or deep, it's a sign the pear should be discarded.

Pears ripen from the inside out, so the flesh closest to the core is the softest and ripest, while the outer layer remains firmer. Gently squeeze the pear; if it feels too soft, it's likely past its prime. A pear with a very soft exterior will have an unpleasantly mushy interior.