Different Types of Pears and How to Cook Them – GWC Mag

There are thousands of types of pears. As with most fruit, for the most part, we are limited by a dozen or fewer varieties at the supermarket, farmers market, and even the nursery, so like apples, most of us will not have tasted even 10 types. What a shame!

Nevertheless, the pears that we can find regularly come in lots of shapes and sizes. They have different textures, range from sweet to very sweet, and have personalities all their own. Some might suggest a hint of citrus or vanilla. Some might make awesome pear butter.

In other words, it helps to know which type of pear best suits you, the eater, as well as which pear might best fit the recipe—raw, jam, pie, baked—at hand. With the right know-how, pears can wow the taste buds.

Source: USA Pears/YouTube

Popular Varieties of Pear

More or less, pears are put into two categories: pears and Asian pears. In reality, within these categories, especially the run-of-the-mill pears genre, there are tons of variations. The major differences come in terms of firmness/crispness and sweetness. Asian pears tend to be crisp and very sweet with some variation in flavor.

• Anjou pears are considered an all-around choice. They have green and red varieties, and they work well both cooked and eaten raw.
• Bartlett pears have a classic pear flavor and bell shape. They also have red and green varieties. They tend to be very juicy with soft flesh.
• Bosc pears are a common find in supermarkets. They have a teardrop shape, mottled brown coloring, and firm flesh.
• Comice pears are another oft-found pear variety. They are a bit squattier with green skin and blushes of red. Soft and sweet, it’s occasionally called a Christmas pear.
• Concorde pears are attractive fruits with round bottoms with a long tamper up to the stem. They are bright green with some red accents, and they are juicy and sweet.
• Seckel pears are small, sweet, and crunchy. They are great in salads, and they are small enough to be preserved whole.
• Asian pears tend to be large and round. They can have green red or russet skin, and they are very crisp and very sweet. They are recognizably ripe when they are firm.

Source: Khang Starr/YouTube

Which Pears Are Best for Eating Raw

In reality, most pears are perfectly pleasant to eat raw. They are sweet and relatively mild in flavor. More or less, the “best” pears for eating raw are what suits someone’s taste. Some folks like a crisp pear while others are after soft and luscious.

• Crisp pears are going to have a nice crunch and a somewhat grainy texture. Asian pears are very much in this category. Bosc pears are also crisp, and Concorde pears are crisp when first harvested but turn soft as they sit on the shelf.
• Soft pears are often exceedingly, like-it-off-your-chin juicy. Bartlett pears and Comice pears are top-shelf soft pears. Aged Concorde pears are another soft option.
• Anjou pears are somewhere in between in texture, firmer than Bartlett pears but not so crisp as Asian pears.
• Seckel pears can be eaten raw, but they must be completely ripe. Otherwise, they have unpleasant tannins that make them puckering.

Source: TheProduceGeek/YouTube

Which Pears Work Best for Cooking

Much the same as eating pears raw, which pears are best for cooking has a lot to do with personal taste, i.e. what’s being cooked. Certain pears are great for baking and holding their shape. Others simmer nicely into pear butter or similar substances.

• Those pears that are crisp hold their shape very well when cooked. This makes them very good for grilling, poaching, and baking, including pies. Bosc and Asian Pears are choices in this regard.
• The softer pears are perfect for making pear butter and pear sauces as they turn to mush under heat. These are good for adding to thicken jam blends as well.
• For those looking for pear pies at their best, combining the two textures of pears yields a filling that is nice and saucy but also has nice bites of pear, too.

Don’t Forget Pears

Pears are readily available at supermarkets and fruit stands, but they are often overlooked in favor of other fall fruits. That’s a mistake. Pears are a wonderful addition to any culinary world. They store well. They are versatile, fitting well in everything from salads and starters to desserts.

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