Pears

[Durgan]

4 September 2011 Pears. 4 September 2011 Pears

Pears were picked today, since the squirrels were starting to eat them. The pears are very hard and quite large. The type of pear is unknown. Pears are picked unripe and allowed to ripen indoors, otherwise they tend to be grainy and sort of discolored from the center out. The picked fruit were placed in a large bag with a banana to generate ethylene gas to enhance and stimulate ripening. When ripe they will be made in to juice and pressured canned. There is another smaller pear tree, not shown, in the garden to insure good pollination.
Ethylene Gas A discussion regarding ethylene gas.

[BuzzyBee]

I believe those are Keifer pears. They used to be called "farmstead pears", because every old farm would have a tree or two. (as you discovered, they will keep until early winter).
I am fortunate to have a dear friend who has several of these trees on her farm, and every year I am able to pick several boxes and can them---they are wonderful canning pears. (I am especially partial to the recipe for brandied pears in the ball Blue book!)

[Durgan]

I believe those are Keifer pears. They used to be called "farmstead pears", because every old farm would have a tree or two. (as you discovered, they will keep until early winter).
I am fortunate to have a dear friend who has several of these trees on her farm, and every year I am able to pick several boxes and can them---they are wonderful canning pears. (I am especially partial to the recipe for brandied pears in the ball Blue book!)

Thank you for the type of cultivar information.I will accept your Keifer pear definition. It is a hardy producer. I pruned it this Spring, since it was getting too tall to pick the fruit unless a ladder was used. Last year I go about a bushel of pears.

I ate one pear that was put with a banana about ten days ago, and it was excellent. Firm yet juicy with no discoloration of the core.

[sinopa27]

Are they good juicing pears?

[Durgan]

Are they good juicing pears?

I considered the juice to be more than acceptable. One can add a bit of water to thin the mash as required. I prefer them fresh but usually there are too many to eat fresh.

[pinetree]

Wow, those are good looking pears! We didnt get one this year with the late freeze we had, Enjoy!

Ginny sure looks like she likes them!

[Durgan]

7 September 2011 Ripening Pears 7 September 2011 Ripening Pears

Pears are picked from the tree when not soft or basically unripe, determined when of sufficient size, which is subjective. The pears are then placed in a relatively sealed container or paper bag for about seven days with a fruit that produces ethylene gas which aids ripening. I use bananas. The ripe fruit is not grainy, not discolored, and is quite juicy. They are a pleasure to eat raw or can be processed for canning or making juice.

[Durgan]

12 September 2011 Pear Juice 12 September 2011 Pear Juice

Pears from my one tree have been left to ripen on the counter in a covered basket with one banana enclosed to produce ethylene gas which aids ripening. Amazing, they ripened almost to rotting from day five to day six, so have to be checked daily.

The pears were cut into quarters and the discolored portions removed. Water was added to make drinkable about one liter total. The pears were brought to a boil and beat into as mash, then stained and put into liter jars. There was very little material, fiber, to discard. The liter jars of pears were placed in a pressure canner and brought to 12 PSI for about 15 minutes for long term storage at room temperature.

[sinopa27]

you have the best pics like they are from a magazine!!
Does the pear juice discolor when you process them?

[Durgan]

you have the best pics like they are from a magazine!!
Does the pear juice discolor when you process them?

The pear juice does not change color. It is a nice as the day made, since there is no oxygen in the jars, and it is consumed in a day or so after opening.