Pears are one of the very few fruits that do not ripen on the tree, but need time for the sugars to develop off the branch.

As a result, we pick the pears when they are immature which allows the fruit to ripen over the course of weeks, including time in your local grocery store.

How can you tell if a pear is ripe? Instead of digging your finger into all the pears on the shelf, try the stem test. Put gentle pressure on the top of the pear near the stem, if it gives way a little then it’s ripe. As pears ripen on the outside last, by the time the entire exterior of the pear is soft it is overripe.