Bartlett Pear (Pyrus communis)

Grown in California, Oregon and Washington

Available July through October.

Handling Tips and General Information: Bartlett Pears are bright yellow. Aromatic, perfect for fresh eating. Very sweet and juicy. Excellent for canning or cooking. 60% of all Bartlett pears grown in the United States come from California. For many, the Bartlett carries a true pyriform "pear shape," a rounded bell on the bottom half of the fruit, then a definitive shoulder with a smaller neck or stem end. Bartletts are also extremely aromatic pears, and have that definitive "pear flavor. Bartlett pears will turn from green to yellow when ripe, but most pears don’t change color as they ripen. As well, pears ripen from the inside out. Here’s the best way to check for ripeness: gently press your thumb against the stem end of the pear. Pears are ripe and ready to eat when slightly soft to the touch. If you need to store pears, you can place them in the refrigerator for two to five days. Pears are a good source of vitamin C and fiber. Here are some Bartlett Pear links: http://www.state.or.us/agencies.ns/60300/00030/00005/0010/index.html  http://www.calpear.com/cns_fcts.htm http://www.usapears.com/pbnw-yellowbartlett.cfm http://www.usapears.com/foodservice/pbnw-foodservice-recipes.html