An easy method for ripening pears

Pears: From Anjou to Seckel
From the Zone Diet

While 3,000 varieties of pears exist, just a handful are grown in the U.S., reports America's Pear Association. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the available varieties, though. Here is a list of the most common pear varieties you'll find in your markets starting right now. The Association also offers an easy method for ripening pears, provided below.

To ripen pears:

1. Place hard pears in a paper bag or a covered fruit bowl. Leave them at room temperature.
2. Check the pear's neck for ripeness every day. To do this, apply gentle pressure to the stem end of the pear with your thumb. When it yields to the pressure, it's ready to eat (this process usually takes a few days).
3. Enjoy your ripe, juicy pears right away, or store them in the fridge until you're ready to eat them. The fridge will slow down the ripening process, but won't stop it. Ready-to-eat pears will stay fresh in the fridge for between three to five days.

Common Pear Varieties:

Green Anjou -- Abundant juice and sweet flavor when ripe. They do not change color as they ripen.

Red Anjou -- Much the same flavor and texture as green Anjous. Remains maroon red when ripe.

Yellow Bartlett -- Ripens to bright yellow. Perfect for fresh eating, since they're very sweet and juicy.

Red Bartlett and Starkrimson -- Bright red skin when fully ripe. Same flavor, texture, and use as yellow Bartletts.

Bosc -- Highly aromatic, flavorful pear. Dense flesh makes it ideal for baking and cooking. They are brown and often russeted. They do not change color as they ripen.

Comice -- One of the sweetest, juiciest varieties, which are often very large. Almost no color change when ripe.

Seckel -- Tiny pears with ultra-sweet flavor; maroon and olive green in color. No color change when ripened.

Forelle -- A smaller variety. Turns bright yellow with crimson freckling when ripe. Sweet, very juicy.