Receiving Helpdesk

can i refrigerate pears

by Mr. Seamus Herzog MD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Refrigerating Pears
Ripened pears can be used at once or put under refrigeration (35º to 45º F) until you want to use them. Refrigeration will delay further ripening but will not stop it altogether, giving you adequate time to include fresh pears in your menu planning.

Are canned pears as nutritious as fresh pears?

The skin is where most of the nutrients are, particularly the fiber and antioxidants. That said, be sure to wash it thoroughly before you eat it. If fresh pears aren't a good option for you, canned ones can be a good alternative. But read the label carefully.

Can I refrigerate pears to slow ripening?

Ripening and Handling

  • A Ripe Pear is a Sweet Pear. A little known fact about the pear is that it is one of the few fruits that does not ripen on the tree.
  • To Prevent Browning. Keep a fresh fruit fresh. ...
  • Refrigerating Pears. Remember, don’t refrigerate an unripe pear! ...
  • Speedy Ripening. ...
  • Wash Before Eating. ...

Do you refrigerate pears after purchase?

You’ll need to check your pears daily using the pressing technique to see if they are ripe and ready to eat. Most pears ripen between 3 and 4 days after purchase. Refrigerate ripe pears to keep them fresh. Ripe pears will not last very long on the kitchen counter or pantry.

Can pears be ripened in the microwave?

While it can’t be properly ripened in the microwave, it may be possible to soften it up to the point where it is useable to you. A better way to quicken the ripening of pears is to keep them at room temperature and place them near some apples.

Can you store pears in the fridge?

Fully ripe pears will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days. To ripen pears, remove them from cold storage and keep them at room temperature on the counter or in a fruit bowl. They should ripen within three to ten days.Feb 24, 2022

What is the best way to store fresh pears?

Pear Storage & Ripening TipsUnlike other fruits, pears ripen from the inside out so by the time they are soft on the outside, the inside flesh may be overripe and mealy.Ripe pears should be stored in a refrigerator set at 35 to 45 degrees.Leave unripe pears at room temperature in order to induce ripening.More items...

Should you fridge pears?

Do not refrigerate pears until they are fully ripe - allowing to ripen at room temperature will result in more flavorful, juicy pears. To extend the shelf life of fully ripe pears, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate; for best results, bring the pears back to room temperature before using.

How do you slow down the ripening of pears?

Slow it down. If you're not quite ready to enjoy your pears, you can easily slow down the ripening process by storing them in the refrigerator. Yes, it's that simple. If all else fails, overripe pears are still viable in the kitchen.

Will pears ripen after refrigeration?

Ripened pears can be used at once or put under refrigeration (35º to 45º F) until you want to use them. Refrigeration will delay further ripening but will not stop it altogether, giving you adequate time to include fresh pears in your menu planning.

How do you store Cut pears in the fridge?

Pears discolor quickly when cut - to prevent browning, sprinkle the cut pears with a little lemon juice before refrigerating. To maximize the shelf life of cut pears, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place in covered container or resealable plastic bag and refrigerate.

How do you store apples and pears?

Refrigerate pears at a temperature of 30 to 32°F and a relative humidity of 90 percent until you are ready to ripen them. To ripen stored pears for best quality and full maturity, place them at room temperatures (60° to 70°F). The ripening process should take 7 to 10 days.Aug 28, 2019

How do you store pears long term?

Store your pears at 30 F (and at 85% to 90% humidity), or as close to it as you can get. Any colder than this, and the fruit will be damaged; any warmer, and it'll ripen faster than you want. If you have a spare refrigerator (or you have extra space in your refrigerator), this is the ideal spot to stash your fruit.Aug 12, 2019

Should pears be refrigerated ?

Unripe, fresh pears should not be refrigerated. Like avocados, pears need to ripen on the counter to a softer texture and better flavor. And when they’re ripe, you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week before they start to spoil.

How to pick a good pear from the market

Getting great, ripe pears is mostly done at home, but first you have to pick them out from a market stall, or fruit basket. But how do you get the best pears ? Well you have to keep in mind that not all pear cultivars are the same, some end up very sweet, some are mostly flavorful.

Can you freeze fresh pears ?

Yes, you can freeze fresh pears, as long as you slice them evenly and remove the core. By doing this you will have even thawing, and you can cook them right out of the freezer.

What goes well with pears ?

Pears, especially when fresh, pair well with several food items like cheese, blue cheese, caramel, cinnamon, walnuts, roast almonds, vanilla, and even something stronger like lime or lemon.

Do you need to peel pear before eating ?

No, pears can be eaten without peeling. The outer skin of a pear is thinner than the one of an apple, and it’s not what’s making the pear hard. Pears are hard and dense because of their stone cells, which protect the fruit from damage.

How to Properly Store Pears in the Fridge

So you know that the best long-term solution for keeping pears in cold storage, but not only do they need to be refrigerated but they need to be stored properly in the fridge. Anyone can dump a few pears in the fruit bin and hope for the best, but here are some tips to help you keep your pears tasting the best when you want them.

Handle With Care

Be gentle with your pears. Enthusiasts know that pears are softer and more prone to damage than many other fruits. Just as with apples and peaches, however, any damage to the fruit encourages the production of more ethylene gas. This will not only make that pear ripen and possibly spoil quicker, but the same goes for all the pears that are nearby.

How to Store Pears For Longer Periods

If you want to go the extra mile and freeze some pears for use 10 or even 12 months down the line, here is a basic rundown of how to get the most from your cut pears.

1. Select the pears

Pears are ready to pick when they are mature but not yet fully ripened. When pears are mature, they can easily detach from the branch, you just tilt the stem.

2. Wash and peel the pears

Wash the pears thoroughly under running water to remove the dirt and harmful bacteria. With a peeler or a knife, peel the pears.

3. Core and cut the pears

Cut the pears in half and remove the stem. With a melon baller, remove the core. Subsequently, cut the pears into slices or wedges, according to your preferences.

4. Choose the freezing method

To choose a suitable freezing method, it is better if you know how you want to use frozen pears in the future.

About The Author

Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.

1. Cold storage

Unlike a lot of other tree-borne fruits, pears ripen after being picked and not while on the branch. Pears have a fairly narrow ripening stage, so it is best to store them in a cool, dry place. Once the pears are harvested, growers will generally take care of the chilling process for you.

2. Timing

Not all pears ripen at the same speed. Whereas Bartlett pears should be chilled at 30° F for two to three days, Bosc and Comice (pronounced ko-MEESE) pears should receive the same treatment for two to six weeks.

3. Ripening temperatures

Once your pears have been stored for the appropriate amount of time, remove them from the cold and put them in a location that is between 65° and 75° F. According to the Oregon State University Extension, Bartlett pears ripen in four to five days, whereas Bosc and Comice pears need five to seven days to reach peak ripeness.

4. The thumb test

Check your pear daily for ripeness by applying gentle pressure to the neck or stem-end of the pear with your thumb. If the pear yields to pressure, it’s ready to eat. Could it get any easier?

5. The banana t rick

If you don’t have a lot of time to wait for your pears to ripen, use the tried and true banana trick. Place your pears in a paper bag or an enclosed area with a ripe banana or apple. Ripe apples and bananas give off a gas called ethylene that triggers the ripening process in unripe pears. You gotta love science!

6. Put your pears together

Ripe pears give off ethylene gas too, so storing them together with your un-ripe pears in a sack or bucket will cause the rest to ripen. If you listen closely, you can hear them talking to each other, offering words of encouragement. “You can do it, Bill! Ripen like you’ve never ripened before!”

7. Slow it down

If you’re not quite ready to enjoy your pears, you can easily slow down the ripening process by storing them in the refrigerator. Yes, it’s that simple.

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