Pears are one of the most popular fruits in the world and have been for thousands of years. There are at least 3,000 known varieties of pears grown in China, Italy, and the USA. The texture of pear flesh varies by variety, from crisp and juicy to soft and creamy to grainy & sugary, or any combination of them all. Pears are packed with dietary fiber and are high in heart-healthy potassium. An extremely versatile fruit, pears are great for eating fresh out of hand, in salads, in baking or added to savory dishes.
Pears ripen from the inside out, and the neck is the narrowest part of the pear, which is closest to the core. To test for ripeness, gently press near the stem for softness in the flesh.
We feature many heirloom varieties of pears when available, such as French Butter, Flemish Beauty and Belle de Bruxelle. Below are some of the more common and popular varieties.
The world of pears is full of delicate and wonderful fruits!
Taste: Semi-crisp with a melting, velvety consistency. Very sweet with notes of honey. The entire pear is edible including the seedbed! The most treasured pear in Italy!
Appearance: Long, thin neck. Yellow-green base with red blushing, freckling, and brown russeting.
Uses: Fresh applications showcase the sweet flavor best but also suitable for baking and cooking.
Ripeness: Ready to enjoy when there is a slight give near the stem.
Taste: Extremely aromatic with sweet, rich flavor; very juicy.
Appearance: Green skin becomes yellow as it ripens.
Uses: Eating fresh, baked in desserts, canning, and as a juice drink base. Commonly used for hard pear cider.
Ripeness: Color is an indicator of ripeness. Can be enjoyed crunchy and tart or super sweet, soft and juicy.
Taste: Juicy, aromatic and sweet. Identical to green Bartlett in texture and flavor.
Appearance: Changes from dark red to bright red as it ripens.
Uses: Eating fresh, baked in desserts, canning & preserves.
Ripeness: Color indicates ripeness. Can be enjoyed crunchy and tart or super sweet, soft and juicy.
Taste: Crisp and woodsy with honey sweetness.
Appearance: Warm cinnamon brown with russeting over the surface of the skin.
Uses: Firm and dense flesh makes it ideal for use in baking, broiling or poaching. Also excellent for fresh eating!
Ripeness: Sweeter and more flavorful earlier in the ripening process than other pear varieties. Bosc will “give” less than other pears when they are ready.
Taste: Buttery, creamy and with subtle perfume overtones, exceptionally sweet. Very juicy. This remarkable pear is considered the ‘Pear Lovers Pear.’
Appearance: Mostly green with patchy red blush.
Uses: Best eaten fresh or raw applications; pairs well with soft ripening cheeses. Not ideal for baking.
Ripeness: Ready to enjoy when there is a slight give near the stem. Green color may take on a yellow hue but do not rely on color only.
Taste: Succulent, sweet and juicy. Similar in taste and texture as green Comice.
Appearance: Maroon-red color with lenticels or pores.
Uses: Best eaten fresh or raw applications; pairs well with soft ripening cheeses. Not ideal for baking.
Ripeness: Ready to enjoy when there is a slight give near the stem.
Taste: Crunchy and sweet with distinct vanilla flavor.
Appearance: Elegant shape with exceptionally long neck. Yellow-green skin oftentimes features a golden-brown russet.
Uses: Excellent all-purpose pear. Naturally slow to brown which is great on salads or cheese boards. Dense flesh holds up for roasting, grilling, poaching or baking. Very popular in Europe and South America.
Ripeness: Can be enjoyed at various stages—from crisp and firm to softer and more mellow in flavor.
Taste: Juicy and aromatic, fresh sweet-tart flavor.
Appearance: Attractive golden skin with crimson blush and a soft russet all over.
Uses: Amazing for eating fresh and works well in desserts.
Ripeness: Can be enjoyed before their flesh has fully softened. Similar to Bosc, will “give” less than other pears when ripe.
Taste: Refreshingly sweet and juicy with a hint of lemon-lime flavor.
Appearance: Egg-shaped. Bright green and can sometimes have a red blush.
Uses: A sturdy, all-purpose pear. Holds up well in heated applications like baking, poaching, roasting, or grilling.Delicious when sliced fresh in salads or eaten as an out-of-hand snack. Very popular in France.
Ripeness: Does not change color as it ripens. Ready to enjoy when there is a slight give near the stem.
Taste: Refreshingly sweet and juicy with a hint of lemon-lime flavor. Similar to its green counterpart.
Appearance: Egg-shaped. Dark maroon in color, sometimes with light vertical streaks of color
Uses: All-purpose pear. Holds up well in heated applications like baking, poaching, roasting, or grilling and they are delicious when sliced fresh in salads or eaten as an out-of-hand snack.
Ripeness: Does not change color as it ripens. Ready to enjoy when there is a slight give near the stem.
Taste: Crisp and firm. Extra sweet with some distinct cinnamon notes.
Appearance: Small variety—slightly larger than Seckel. Green with red lenticles, or freckles.
Uses: Small size makes this a great choice for snacking.
Ripeness: Green skin turns bright yellow as they ripen; red freckles remain visible.
Fun Fact: Forelle means trout in German and this pear gets that name because it has the same coloring as a Rainbow trout!
Photo: Les Fermiers du Coin
Taste: Aromatic, floral, sweet-tart notes. Juicy, crisp but tender texture with slightly coarse flesh.
Appearance: Russeted greenish-yellow skin
Uses: Good for baking, poaching and roasting as well as eating fresh.
Ripeness: Apply gentle pressure to the stem end, any give means its ripe.
Taste: Juicy, creamy with fine-grained flesh. Sweet and aromatic.
Appearance: Greenish-yellow with patches of russeting and lenticels. Similar to Bartlett.
Uses: Versatile pear that works equally well for eating fresh, cooking and baking.
Ripeness: Color changes from green to yellow.
Taste: Bite-sized, crunchy and incredibly sweet.
Appearance: Chubby, round and tiny! Usually olive green, but frequently has dark maroon blush that sometimes covers the entire surface of the pear.
Uses: Small size is ideal for snacking, canning (whole), or a beautiful garnish
Ripeness: A ripe pear should yield a little under gentle thumb pressure around the base of the stem, while remaining firm around the middle fatter area of the fruit.
Taste: Aromatic, juicy and sweet with floral essence.
Appearance: Brilliant crimson color. Solid red, no russeting.
Uses: Any fresh use that shows off the gorgeous skin color
Ripeness: Color turns from deep crimson to bright crimson red as it ripens, its skin also becomes more thin and delicate.
Taste: Sweet vanilla honey flavor with spiced undertones. Very juicy and buttery, not grainy in texture.
Appearance: Faded green with occasional red blush.
Uses: Very versatile. Good for roasting, baking, poaching or eating fresh.
Ripeness: Green color becomes pale yellow. The skin shrivels around the stem and the top will give a little when you press on it.
Taste: Aromatic with a sweet sugary flavor, smooth, dense and fine-grained.
Appearance: Small to medium in size, roundish shape, green-yellow skin with brown russeting.
Uses: A ‘late season’ pear, good keeper, great for baking or eating out of hand.
Ripeness: Skin turns slightly more yellow.