Pears

	We grow two main varieties of pears at St. Francis Farm, the traditional green Bartlett and the red Bartlett pear, plus a few trees of strangely odd-shaped Asian pear.  Tips on Pear Storage and Ripening
	Pear Pie Recipes Some say pear pie is even better than apple pie.  Recipes links below. Jeff's Amaretto Pears Puff Pastry Pear Pie Pear Pie with Maple and Ginger Pear and Hazelnut Crumb Pie Pear-Cardamom Pie with Almond Crust Peach & Pear Chutney

Tips on Pear Storage and Ripening

Taken from the CSU Cooperative Extension  Office publication LA 7588 (which is not available online, unfortunately)

At the orchard, pears are harvested at a point when the fruit sugar development is such that slow ripening will take place in proper storage. Visually, the fruit looks green and is hard to the touch.

The fruit is cooled immediately and kept in cold storage 15 to 30 days.

Ripening will occur at 60-70 F and relative humidity of 80-85%. At temperatures higher than 70F, ripening does not develop the best flavor and texture.

A mealy texture is attributed to higher than desirable ripening temperatures.

Fully ripe pears should be refrigerated until they are used and will hold for about one week.