Is it possible to ripen pears at home and how to do it
Gardeners call the pear a “cunning” fruit. Today it still hangs hard on the tree, but tomorrow it lies soft on the ground. Catching the moment of perfect ripeness of pears is not easy, so many people pick or buy green ones. We will tell you in the article whether unripe fruits ripen at home.
How to choose ripe pears
When choosing, first of all pay attention to the density of the fruit. The “correct” pear should be slightly firm. If it is too soft or overripe, it is not recommended to buy such fruit.
Also, the fruit should not have black spots, spots or signs of rotting. Another important selection criterion is smell. Ripe has a light and sweetish aroma. It would be a good idea to lightly press the stalk when purchasing. If it is elastic, the fruit will be tasty and ripe.
Attention! Experts advise avoiding fruits that are unnaturally shiny and look like artificial ones. They are treated with a special chemical composition that protects them from damage during transportation. If such fruits do end up in the refrigerator, before eating they are thoroughly washed with a sponge and treated with boiling water.
Is it possible to eat unripe pears?
Eating unripe fruits is not recommended. This can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and allergic reactions. In this case, it is better to place the fruits on storage, where they will gradually mature.
The pears can be cut into pieces, covered with sugar and left in the refrigerator for several days. Next, jam is prepared from them - passed through a blender and boiled.
How to ripen pears at home
There are several ways to speed up the ripening of picked pears in an apartment.
How to make a pear ripen:
- The fruits are stored at room temperature about +20°C for 1-7 days. It's best to place them on a tray or large plate. Many people make the mistake of leaving fruit in plastic bags or containers. In such conditions they do not ripen, but wither and deteriorate.
- It is recommended to store the fruits unwashed, wrap them in newspaper or any soft paper. At the same time, unripe specimens cannot be stored in the refrigerator - pears will not ripen in it.
- Other fruits also help speed up ripening. The pear is placed in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. A reaction occurs - ethylene is released from ripe fruits, which accelerates the ripening of the fruit.
There is no universal period for pear ripening; it all depends on the microclimate of the room and varieties. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly look into the paper bag to prevent overripening and spoilage.
What to do to keep pears for a long time
To keep pears for a long time, place unwashed fruit in the refrigerator. The fruits will retain their taste from 2 weeks to 1.5 months, depending on varieties. It is important that the pears are kept separate from other products, for example in a clean tray.
Storage temperature - from 0°C to +5°C. Fruits are inspected daily for signs of rotting or stains. Damaged ones are thrown away.
If the thermometer is not below 0°C, then pears are stored on the balcony. At the same time, make sure that there is no frost at night - because of this, the fruits become tasteless and watery.
Some people place unripe pears in the freezer. There they are stored for 7 to 12 months. Housewives select ripe fruits, wash them and remove the core. Next, chop into strips 2 cm wide and leave to dry, after which they are placed in a sealed food bag and put into a chamber.
Attention! To ensure that the fruit retains its color, it is treated with lemon juice before freezing.
If there is a cellar or basement, then the fruits are stored there. To do this, prepare wooden boxes - they are placed at a distance of 20 cm from the floor. The room should be cool, dark and well ventilated.
It is recommended to put the basement in order - remove dirt and mold, disinfect it. Each fruit is wrapped in newspaper and placed in a box. Cover the top with cotton cloth.
What to do if pears are overripe
Some people believe that overripe fruits are just as harmful as unripe ones.. However, there are also those who love overripe pears and eat them without fear.
For example, some people add slices of the fruit to pies, cakes, or muffins, or use it as a pear topping for pancakes or cupcakes. You can also stew it - during heat treatment, the pear pieces do not retain their shape and turn into a sweet fruit puree. It is added to ice cream or other desserts.
This is interesting:
The benefits and harms of pears for women
The best summer pear varieties: description and characteristics
Conclusion
To make pears ripen faster, you need to put them in a paper bag. You should not put the fruits in the refrigerator or basement - low temperatures prevent the fruits from ripening. Whether or not there are unripe fruits is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
If the fruits are overripe, they are used to prepare jams or fillings for buns and pies. It is important to pay attention to the appearance - ripe fruits should be appetizing, without black spots or signs of rot.