How to know when do you pick pears? Most pears should naturally produce ethylene in sufficient quantities to trigger their own ripening. Pick pears before they are mature but not fully ripe, then allow them to ripen off the tree. The pear is harvested when it is mature, but not yet ripe, and, if left at room temperature, it slowly reaches a sweet and succulent maturity as it ripens from the inside out. Pears are my latest fruit addiction. Considered the “lookers” of pear varieties, Comice pears are used in gift boxes at Christmas time, earning the nickname “Christmas Pear.” If you’re thinking of growing your own Christmas pears by planting Comice pear trees in your backyard, click here to learn more. These pears are best harvested when they are slightly immature and hard to the touch. If you have a basket full of raw pears, read this Tastessence post to know how to ripen them with ease. The flesh is ivory to off-white and is silky, creamy, moist, and fine-grained. Seasons/Availability Comice pears are available in the late summer through early spring. If the fruit gives easily, it is ripe. Comice pears are one of the sweetest and juiciest pear varieties around. Pears are notorious for having a short window of ripeness. Hi there I have 3 Comice pear trees in my garden but ive never known when they are ripe enough to eat and when they are ready... People have told me that they are ready when they start dropping off the tree but when I have tried them they are still rock hard My kids love pears and i begrudge buying them when i have 3 trees of my own The pear is harvested when it is mature, but not yet ripe, and, if left at room temperature, it slowly reaches a sweet and succulent maturity as it ripens from the inside out. A little known fact about the pear is that it is one of the few fruits that does not ripen on the tree. For longest storage – keep unripe pears at 30 °F (-1.1 °C) and 85-90% humidity. The sugary sweetness of the comice pear is only enhanced by the silky texture of its smooth and creamy flesh. Pears need to ripen off of the tree, and it's a process that usually takes a few weeks. Wash, peel, core, and stem the pears: Then, cut them up into halves, quarters, slices—whatever you prefer. Anjou will take up to ten days to fully ripen. In practice, wait till a few pears drop off the tree of their own accord and then harvest the remaining pears over a couple of weeks. On ripening, they are succulent bites that refresh our taste buds. The early varieties are ready up to a month sooner than late-blooming types. Many major pear varieties are also grown in European countries and parts of Asia.