Dole Superkids

Pears bruise easily, so handle them with care. At home, ripen pears at room temperature. You can speed up the ripening process by placing unripe pears in a brown paper bag. This process only takes from two to five days – so check them often.

Bartlett pears will turn from green to yellow when ripe, but most pears don’t change color as they ripen. As well, pears ripen from the inside out. Here’s the best way to check for ripeness: gently press your thumb against the stem end of the pear. Pears are ripe and ready to eat when slightly soft to the touch.

Remember, pears are juicy and taste best when ripe and eaten right away. But if you need to store pears, you can place them in the refrigerator for two to five days. Here’s another pear tip: cool temperatures slow down the ripening process, and warm temperatures speed it up.