Are Bartlett Pears Supposed to be Hard? – Fresh from the Sunbelt (2024)

There more than a thousand varieties of pears available. Among the most common are the Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Barlett, Concord, Seckel, and Ferrel.

Not all pears ripen at the same and some get soft as they ripen like the Comice and Bartlett, while other varieties like Concord and Bosc remain firm. A pear that is meant to be eaten soft will not have much flavor when it’s hard or unripe.

Pears for Cooking

You can eat a pear straight out of hand although some varieties are good to eat when cooked like Bosc and Bartlett pears.

Difference between Bosc and Bartlett pears

Although both are commonly used for cooking, Bosc and Bartlett pears are different in many ways. Bosc ripens early and can be eaten while still a little unripe; its taste is more on the spicy-sweet flavor side. Bartlett pears on the hand are sweetest when it’s fully ripe when its flesh is soft and gives slightly to finger pressure.

Bartlett pears are green when picked and ripen to yellow. The Bosc pear, on the other hand, has brown skin, a rounded bottom with a slender middle tapering to an elongated neck and stem.

How to Cook Bartlett Pears

Pears can be prepared with or without its peel, but take note that textures of the peels vary between varieties. Some are smooth, while others are rough, prepare your pears whichever you prefer, but please do remember to wash them first.

Pears can be prepared in so many ways. They make a sweet addition to pastries and sandwiches. You can cut them into in chunks or slices for different Bartlett pear dessert recipes or pureed for sweet and savory dishes and soups.

Popular cooking methods include roasting and poaching. Pears complement chicken or pork especially well. They likewise pair nicely with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, cheeses like Gouda and brie, and ingredients like lemon and chocolate.

Try this Quick and Easy Bartlett Pear Recipe

Bartlett pear grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• 4 slices bread
• 3/4 cup white cheddar
• 1 pear
• Mustard to taste
• 1 tablespoon organic butter

Instructions

• Heat grill pan or grill to medium.
• Butter one side of each slice of bread and place butter side down on pan or grill.
• Spread some mustard on the bread and top with cheese, followed by sliced pear and top with another slice of buttered bread.
• Cook slowly until cheese is starting to melt and the bottom is golden brown and then flip.

Bartlett Pear Nutrition Facts

Bartlett Pears are not only delicious but also offer many health benefits.

A medium-sized pear (178 grams) provides the following nutrients:

• Calories: 101
• Protein: 1 gram
• Carbs: 27 grams
• Fiber: 6 grams
• Vitamin C: 12% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin K: 6% of DV
• Potassium: 4% of the DV
• Copper: 16% of DV

Bartlett pear Benefits

1. Bartlett Pear Fiber

One medium-sized pear (178 grams) contains about 6 grams of fiber roughly 22% of our body’s daily fiber needs. Fibers are essential for digestive health.

2. Bartlett Pear Calories

Just how many calories in a medium Bartlett pear are there? A medium-sized pear (178 grams) provides 101 Calories. The low calories content together with high water and fiber content makes it a great weight-loss-friendly food.

3. Pears Contain Beneficial Plant Compounds

Pears offer many beneficial plant compounds. Compounds found in red pears may protect heart health, while those in green pears may promote eye health.

Bartlett Pears are in season from August to January and are easy to find in most groceries. You can eat them whole as a snack or add them to your favorite dishes. They not only provide a sweet addition to your recipes but also pack lots of nutritional and health benefits.