It's official
Apple and Pear Season is among us!
Apples varieties we will be going through this season are:
Gala - Heritage Red Delicious - Golden Delicious - Granny Smith - Fuji - Pink Lady - Sundowner
Storage
The apples we bring to you will be best kept in the refrigerator. They are not waxed like commercial apples so storing them on the counter is not advised.
Pears
Pear varieties this season will be:
Bosc - Green Bartlett - Red Anjou
Ripening
Pears are usually picked under-ripe to allow time to get them to you without being overly ripe. When you receive your under ripe pears, store them in a bowl at room temperature. They should ripen within a week; placing them in a paper bag can speed up the process. You can also add apples or bananas to the bag; this increases the concentration of fruit-ripening gases causing them to ripen sooner.
Check the pears daily. When the flesh around the stem feels slightly soft when pressed, the fruit is ready to eat. If you do not need the fruit yet at this point, you can move them to the refrigerator. This will slow down further ripening. It does not stop the process entirely; they will only be good in the refrigerator for another few days.
If Pears Get Overripe
If the entire piece of fruit is soft when pressed, it has gotten overripe, but you can still use these pears. Although they are no longer ideal for eating whole or slicing, they can be pureed for use in smoothies, sauces, baby food and baking. Also try using them as a thickening agent for soups, stews, and dressings.
What's Next?
You may be wondering what fruit would be next? Well, citrus will start to be picked around December depending on the weather; Then we will be able to enjoy a great citrus season! Thanks! Galen
