Fall brings the anticipation of ripe pears and apples as branches bend with fruit and gravity begins to pull them to the ground. But how do you know when it’s the right time to pick?
According to Steve Castagnoli, retired horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service, pears don’t ripen to eating quality on the tree. That makes it harder to judge when they’re ready.
“A mature pear will snap briskly and cleanly when tilted 90 degrees,” Castagnoli said. “With common varieties such as ‘Comice,’ ‘Bosc,’ and ‘D’Anjou,’ the fruit usually changes from green to a slightly paler color. When cut, the flesh lightens and shows a little juice on the surface.”
Gardeners can also refer to maturity dates listed in Oregon State Extension’s publication “Picking and storing apples and pears.” Dates vary depending on when bloom began that spring. In general, the earlier the bloom, the earlier the harvest.
It’s better to pick pears a little early than too late, Castagnoli said. Ripening happens during cold storage, which should last about a month depending on the variety.
“Ideally, pears should be stored below 40°F,” he said. “A refrigerator works well, but a freezer is too cold and an unheated garage is usually too warm.”
Apples offer clearer signs
Determining ripeness in apples is easier. Apples don’t require cold storage and show clearer signs of maturity.
Color changes provide good clues. Yellow varieties are mature when green tones shift almost completely to yellow. In apples with red stripes or blush, the background color without red usually changes from green to yellowish.
Another signal is fruit drop.
“When a few sound apples fall to the ground, the ones on the tree are nearly mature,” Castagnoli said.
When picking, avoid pulling fruit down. Instead, twist the apple upward with a rotating motion. Ripe apples separate easily from the tree.
“The best way to test an apple for ripeness,” Castagnoli added, “is to cut it open and taste it.”
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Dining and Cooking