When I was growing up my father had a pear tree up by our garden, this pear tree would be loaded down with pears. However, we would keep waiting for the pears to become soft on the tree before picking them. We would wait and wait and wait, but the pears never would become soft. Eventually either the crows would get all the pears or the pears would just fall off the trees. This happened year after year, my father would swear he was going to cut down that pear tree if he didn’t get pears off of it soon, but he never did.
Well, pears don’t ripen on the tree like other fruit, well the majority of them (European, Asian pears generally ripen on the tree) . European pears should be picked when hard and firm and then they will ripen in a few days in storage.
European and Asian pears
So what is the difference between the pears. European pears are usually soft, juicy, and sweet when ripe, while Asian pears are crisp, crunchy, and very juicy with a flavor more like a sweet apple. Both types are delecious they are just great in different ways. European pear trees are generally easier to grow in a wide range of climates and are usually picked before they fully ripen, while Asian pears ripen on the tree and are picked when they are ready to eat. Asian pears also have a more rounder shape, while European pears are shaped like a traditional pear.
5 Popular European Pear Varieties
| European Pear | Taste | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Bartlett | Sweet, juicy, rich, and slightly floral. | Soft, smooth, and buttery when ripe. |
| Bosc | Sweet and honey-like with a mild spicy flavor. | Firm, crisp, and juicy. |
| Anjou | Sweet, mild, and refreshing with a slightly citrusy flavor. | Smooth, juicy, and creamy. |
| Comice | Very sweet, rich, and exceptionally juicy. | Very soft, buttery, and tender. |
| Seckel | Very sweet with a concentrated, honey-like flavor. | Fine-textured, tender, and juicy. |
Important: European pears are picked while they are still firm and then allowed to ripen off the tree.
5 Popular Asian Pear Varieties and Their Taste
| Asian Pear | Taste | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Hosui | Very sweet with a rich, honey-like flavor and mild acidity | Crisp, juicy, and tender |
| Shinko | Sweet and refreshing with a mild, slightly tart flavor | Very crisp and juicy |
| Shinseiki | Mildly sweet with a clean, refreshing flavor | Crisp, crunchy, and juicy |
| 20th Century | Sweet and delicate with a slightly floral flavor | Crisp, fine-textured, and very juicy |
| Korean Giant | Very sweet with a rich, mellow flavor and excellent juiciness | Extra-large, crisp, and crunchy |
When do you pick European pears
It can be tricky of knowing when to pick your pears, pick them to early and they wont reach their highest potential, pick them too late and they will rot and be mushy. However there are few ways to know.
General Timing
This is a general timing of when your pears should be ripe and ready to pick. The chart is obviously would be affected by a early spring, late spring, or zones, but it should give you a good idea.
When to Pick 5 Popular European Pear Varieties
| European Pear | Typical Picking Time | How to Know It Is Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Bartlett | Late July–August | Full-sized, firm, and separates easily when lifted |
| Bosc | September–October | Firm fruit with a slight color change; lifts easily from the branch |
| Anjou | September–October | Full-sized and firm; fruit separates with an upward lift |
| Comice | September–October | Full-sized, firm, and releases easily from the tree |
| Seckel | August–September | Fruit is full-sized and separates easily when gently lifted |
Important: European pears should be picked while they are still firm and then allowed to ripen off the tree.
When to Pick 5 Popular Asian Pear Varieties
| Asian Pear | Typical Picking Time | How to Know It Is Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Hosui | Late August–September | Fruit develops a golden-brown color and comes off easily when lifted |
| Shinko | September–October | Skin turns golden-brown and fruit is firm, crisp, and juicy |
| Shinseiki | August–September | Skin changes from green to yellow and fruit is crisp and sweet |
| 20th Century | August–September | Skin turns yellow-green and fruit is firm, juicy, and sweet |
| Korean Giant | September–October | Fruit reaches full size, develops a golden-brown color, and separates easily |
Important: Asian pears are usually allowed to ripen on the tree.
The 45 degree test
The general ripening schedule above is a great way to know about when your delicious pears are ready to be picked. However, there is a lot of factors that would affect the time to pick them. The way I like to check to see if it is harvest time is the “45 degree test”
The 45-degree test is a simple way to tell when your pears are ready to pick.
Hold the pear gently in your hand and tilt or lift it about 45 degrees upward from the branch. If the pear is ready to be picked, the stem should naturally separate from the branch with a gentle lift; if it stays firmly attached, give it more time.
The key is: don’t pull or twist hard. You are looking for the pear to release easily with a gentle 45-degree lift. This is really for European pears since Asian pear have the standard notes of soften flesh and a sweet flavor.
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