CALIFORNIA BARTLETT PEARS

The first of the locally grown California Bartlett pears have arrived at Earl’s! The first Bartletts are coming out of the Sacramento and Stockton River Delta region where the hot days and the cool nights are needed to develop the Bartletts sweet, juicy and delicious flavor.  Soon we will start seeing California Bartletts from the Lake County and Mendocino growing district.  California pears are very delicate and are all hand-picked and packed.  In our opinion, we at Earl’s feel that California Bartletts are some of the best pears in the world. 

Pears are picked green but not ripe. The Bartlett pear ripens at room temperature, turning from green to yellow as the pear becomes softer, sweeter and ready to eat. Pears ripen from the inside out and have a fragrant aroma, but how do you know when your pear is ripe? At the beginning of the season an unripe Bartlett pear can take up to 2 weeks to ripen. After waiting patiently for the first pears of the season to ripen, you will be rewarded with a sweet, juicy and flavorful pear. Perfect for canning, cooking or slicing into salads with crumbled blue cheese.

Ripening Tips:

• One way is to check the color. The deep green skin will soften to a golden hue. 

• Touch is another way.  Apply gentle pressure to the neck or stem area of the pear and it will give slightly when it is ready to eat. 

• The best way of all is to spend time getting to know your pear. Buy a few pears and experiment with cutting them up at different times. Do you prefer it crunchy and tart? Enjoy when the skin is green! How about beginning to soften and mildly sweet? Take a bite when they are yellow-green . Do you love a super sweet juicy pear? Let your pear ripen until it reaches a golden yellow hue.

• Remember, all pears need to ripen at room temperature! You will get to know the exact color and feel of your pear when it is perfectly ripe. Timing is everything!

Storage Tips:

• Refrigerate to preserve ripeness, which will hold for 3-5 days.

How To Enjoy:

• Any recipe calling for apples can be made using fresh pears.

• Bartletts are traditionally known as the canning pear. Excellent in preserves, syrups, chutneys, and more. They also make excellent dried pears.

• Add pear slices to a salad or on a cheese platter and enjoy with a glass of smooth Chardonnay or crisp Sauvignon Blanc.