Pears is categorized into two main groups: European pears and Asian pears. European pears include variety like Bartlett and Bosc. European pears dont ripen while they are still on the tree.
Therefore, you has to harvest European pears when they are still firm. After harvesting the European pears, you must allow the European pears to sit out at room temperature until the neck of the pear soften when you apply pressure to the neck of the pear. The European pears will soften from the core of the pear outward.
Types of Pears and How to Grow, Pick and Store Them
If you do not allow the European pears to reach this level of ripeness while they are still on the tree, the European pears will remain hard when you attempt to harvest them. Asian pears is different than European pears. Asian pears have a more roundly shape and have a crunchy texture when you bite into them.
Asian pears are ready to eat right off the tree. Asian pears have a flavor that is similar to honey. For example, Hosui pears are very juicy and contain less seeds than other varieties of pears.
The 20th Century pear is a crunchy pear that is often used in salad. The difference between Asian pears and European pears is important to understand because this difference can help to determine how you should harvest the pears and store them. The flavor of the pears vary depending on the variety of the pear that is grown.
Additionally, the specific breeding of those varieties results in the flavor of the different varieties of pears. For example, the Concorde pear variety have a flavor that is similar to vanilla. The Seckel pear is a small pear with a flavor that is both sweet and spicy.
A reference table list the season that each variety of pear is in season. For example, the Moonglow pear is an early-season pear variety. The Anjou pear is a late-season pear variety and can be stored in cold storage for many month.
The Clapp’s Favorite pear variety is another variety of soft pear that is grown during the spring and summer seasons. However, because the Clapp’s Favorite pear variety does not store well, they must be consume quickly once they are harvested. The Red Anjou pear variety is another variety that can be stored for long periods of time due to the varietys ability to store well in cold storage.
In order to ensure that the pear tree yields fruit each growing season, there are some maintenance task that the grower must perform. Two varieties of pear must be planted within fifty feet of each other because the pears requires cross-pollination to produce fruit. Bees must perform this cross-pollination process to allow the pear tree to produce the fruit that can be harvested.
The pear trees should be pruned in the late winter to allow the light to reach the spurs that is growing out of the pear tree. When the pear trees produce a heavy harvest of small pears in June, you can do some thinning to ensure that each tree yields a high amount of mature pears. Specifically, one pear should be left every six inches along the tree.
Fire blight can affect pear trees, but using varieties like Harrow Sweet or Kieffer pears can prevent the spread of this infection. Pear psylla and codling moth can infest the pear trees, but traps and pruning can help to control these pests. The storage of pears depends on whether they are European or Asian pears.
European pears should be stored in a refrigerator between 30 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The pears should be stored in single layer within the refrigerator to prevent bruising the pears. The necks of the European pears should be checked each day to ensure that they have softened.
Asian pears do not store as long than European pears. Asian pears are best when they are eaten fresh. Some varieties of pears are used for different culinary purposes than others.
For example, Bosc pears are firm enough to be poached in cooking. Comice pears are ripe enough to be eaten raw. Bartlett pears can be used to make pear butter and cider.
Kieffer pears are commonly used in pear preserves. When many people grow or purchase pears, they often make some mistake. For example, they may fail to plant two varieties of pear within fifty feet of each other.
Additionally, they may harvest the pears after they should of been harvested. If they harvest them too late, the pears will fall off the tree and become bruised. The best method for harvesting pears is to lift and twist the pears when they are almost ready to fall off the tree branch.
If you properly perform the tasks for the pear tree, the pear trees will produce a high yield of pears. By the correct variety of pear is chosen for your kitchen and eating needs, you can ensure that the pears will have the texture and flavor that you would like to enjoy in your kitchen.