3 ms·

Pears, too, only ripen properly several days off the tree. Took me too many years to discover this with my pear tree in the back yard.

• 3np 6y ago
  Maybe depends on the variety? Used to eat pears straight from the tree as a kid and they were sweet enough.
  • SamBam 6y ago
    I believe it's most/all varieties. See e.g. https://usapears.org/pear-ripening-and-handling https://usapears.org/pear-ripening-and-handling However, I think many people are used to the taste of unripe pear - it's sweet enough, and quite crisp, and some people prefer them that way. As it sits on the counter, though, it becomes softer and sweeter over time.
    • CogitoCogito 6y ago
      I was very surprised at the office that all the pears would be eaten up each week before they ripened. I mean sure it's a matter of taste, but I used to think everyone let them soften. The obvious solution was to grab them early and hoard them in secret until they were ripe.
  • pvaldes 6y ago
    It depends a lot, yes. There are two class of European pears classified by flesh texture: The 'beurre' type and the 'water' type. The beurre are very hard and dry first but then mature to a fine and almost fatty texture that melts in the mouth. Some can store well in cave for several months. The water pear type is juicy and much softer in all stages and is unsuitable to store more than a few weeks in summer.