Seasonal produce
When are pears in season in the US?
Northwest pears, which fill most U.S. stores, run from late summer through winter, according to USA Pears.
Pear season at a glance
August: Northwest Bartlett harvest begins. Late September: Northwest Bosc arrives. Early fall: Northwest Anjou harvest. Through winter: Northwest Anjou (nearly year-round) and Bosc (into April) are still around.
By variety
Northwest Bartlett: harvested in August, good through December, and turns from green to yellow as it ripens. Northwest Bosc: in season from late September through April, with russeted, cinnamon-brown skin and firm flesh that’s good for baking. Northwest Anjou: harvested in early fall and available nearly year-round. It stays green when ripe, so check the neck.
By region
Most U.S. fresh pears (88%, per USA Pears) are grown in Oregon and Washington, so Northwest harvest timing drives what you see in most stores. Elsewhere, local orchards set their own window, so ask at your market.
How to ripen and store
Pears ripen off the tree, which is why store pears are often hard. Leave them at room temperature, in a paper bag to speed things up, and check them daily. “Check the neck”: press gently near the stem, and if it gives, it’s ripe. Refrigerate ripe pears to slow them down. If you wait until the middle is soft, it’s overripe.
What to cook this month
October (Northwest Bosc season): Bosc holds its shape in the oven. Swap some or all of the apples in the early fall apple skillet cake for firm-ripe Bosc (our swap; the recipe was written for apples), or slice ripe Anjou raw.
Recipes and related guides
Early fall apple skillet cake · September produce guide · October produce guide · Produce checklist.
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What’s in season in your region, once a week.