PEARS

Storage

Pears may be stored at room temperature until ripe. Pears are ripe when the flesh around the stem gives to gentle pressure. Ripe pears are optimally stored refrigerated, uncovered in a single layer, where they have a shelf life of 2 to 3 days. Pears ripen at room temperature. Ripening is accelerated by the gas ethylene, a plant hormone. If pears are placed next to bananas in a fruit bowl, the ethylene emitted by the banana causes the pears to ripen. According to Pear Bureau Northwest, most varieties show little colour change as they ripen (though the skin on Bartlett pears changes from green to yellow).