How to Save Pears: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Save Pears: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Save Pears: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Save Pears: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Save Pears: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
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No wonder that the pear is the favorite fruit of many people: in addition to sweet, it is versatile and goes with many types of desserts, salads and so on! If that's you, the first thing you need to do is learn to store it in the fridge, especially if you want to preserve the pulp for longer. Read the tips in this article to find out how to take care of the pears in your kitchen!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Storing Pears for a Short Time

Store Pears Step 1
Store Pears Step 1

Step 1. See if the pears are ripe

Unlike most other fruits, pears are usually picked when they are 100% ripe. From then on, they start to pass the point little by little. The best indication that it's time to eat is the softness of the skin. Don't rely on color alone, which is not a reliable indicator by itself.

  • You can do a test: press the pear lightly into the stem region. If the bark is hard, it's not really ripe yet. On the other hand, buy green fruit all you want if you don't intend to eat it all right away.
  • If the skin sags slightly when you squeeze it, it's because the pears are ripe. However, be careful: soft or dark areas indicate that the fruit is overdone and may even be spoiled.
Store Pears Step 2
Store Pears Step 2

Step 2. Store the green pears at room temperature

Pears ripen faster when they are at room temperature (around 21°C). If you want to speed up the process, place them whole in a fruit bowl or on the kitchen counter. Take a look at the fruit every day, in addition to using the squeezing technique, to find out if it's time to eat. They are generally in good condition after three or four days.

Store Pears Step 3
Store Pears Step 3

Step 3. Store the ripe pears in the refrigerator

Pears do not last long at room temperature when they are ripe. In that case, store the fruit in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life by five to 12 days.

  • The refrigerator temperature should be around or below 4°C.
  • If you have sliced pears, store the pieces in a zip lock bag or tupperware before putting them in the fridge. This limits exposure to air.
Store Pears Step 4
Store Pears Step 4

Step 4. Be careful not to eat spoiled pears

Any soft or dark areas on the peel and flesh of the pear indicate that it is past the point of consumption. As the fruit can sometimes look normal on the outside, you'd better cut it up before you try it.

If the pear is only slightly overcooked, you can still use it in various recipes: smoothies, jam, salads, etc

Store Pears Step 5
Store Pears Step 5

Step 5. Store pears in bread bags to ripen them faster

If you plan to eat the pears soon, you can store them in bread bags (those brown ones). They will release ethylene, a natural hormone that speeds up the ripening process.

The process is even faster if you store the pears with other fruits that release ethylene, such as bananas, apples and avocados

Method 2 of 2: Freezing Pears Longer

Store Pears Step 6
Store Pears Step 6

Step 1. Cut pears before storing

You can freeze the pears to extend their shelf life by several months. To do this, just cut the fruits however you like: in half, in four pieces each, in thin slices, etc.

Before cutting, peel and pit the pears. If you don't have a lot of skill with a knife, use a peeler or ask someone more skilled for help

Store Pears Step 7
Store Pears Step 7

Step 2. Soak the pears in a pickling solution

Prepare a pickling solution with 1 L of water and ½ tablespoon of salt, ¾ teaspoon of ascorbic acid, or 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Then soak the pear pieces for three to five minutes.

This process helps keep the pears much longer

Store Pears Step 8
Store Pears Step 8

Step 3. Place the wet pears on a baking sheet or tray and place in the freezer

Distribute the pieces of pears in a single layer and place them in the freezer for three to five hours. Don't overtime, or they may freeze and lose some of their flavor and texture.

If you freeze the pears before putting everything in a zip lock bag or tupperware, the pieces won't stick together

Store Pears Step 9
Store Pears Step 9

Step 4. Store pear pieces in zip lock bags or tupperware

You can use any zippered plastic bag or even canning jars. The important thing is to put pieces of pear inside the containers, but not to the point where they stick together. After that, close the material tightly.

  • If you are using a bag, try to extract as much air as possible to reduce the risk of possible pear problems.
  • Write the date and name of the fruit on the bag (or other container) so you don't forget what it's about after a while.
Store Pears Step 10
Store Pears Step 10

Step 5. Store the pears back in the freezer

Place the bags (or other containers) on a flat area of the freezer so that all pieces of pear freeze at the same rate. The equipment temperature must be at or below -18°C.

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