It’s Pear Season!

I just wanted to give you a quick tip for eating pears, because for years I was doing it wrong and missing out on the best part of the pear’s ripening cycle.

Pears are picked before they’re ripe and then they can ripen on your counter. But how to know when they’re ready? Don’t wait until the pear feels soft. This doesn’t indicate ripeness. Instead, smell the blossom end (that little star shaped part at the bottom where the flower used to be). When the blossom end (or calyx) smells like a pear, your pear is ready to eat! This will give you the best texture and flavor of the pear at its peak.

If you let your pears sit past their prime, don’t fret. You can still eat them (they just won’t be as good), or you can use them in any recipe where the pear will be cooked, as this will change the texture anyway. Some good options are pear compote or pear crumble.