All About Pear
Your complete guide to pear - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Pear Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for pear in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Unripe, at Room Temperature (to ripen)3-7 days
Signs of Spoilage
Extensive soft spots, dark brown/black discoloration, shriveling, mold growth, fermented or sour smell.
How to Check
Look for any signs of mold or dark, mushy areas. Gently press near the stem – if it's overly soft or mushy, it's past its prime. Smell for a sour or alcoholic odor instead of a sweet, fragrant one.
Storage Tips
Store in a single layer on the counter, away from direct sunlight. To speed up ripening, place in a paper bag with an apple or banana.
Ripe, Whole in Refrigerator3-7 days
Signs of Spoilage
Overly soft or mushy texture, significant bruising, large dark brown/black spots, mold, fermented or sour smell.
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold, shriveling, or extensive dark discoloration. Touch the pear – if it's very soft or mushy throughout, it's likely spoiled. Smell for any off-putting, sour, or alcoholic odors.
Storage Tips
Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag to maintain humidity and prevent moisture loss.
Frozen Pears6-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Severe freezer burn (dry, leathery, discolored patches), strong off-odor, or significant quality degradation resulting in very mushy texture upon thawing (though still safe to eat if no mold).
How to Check
Visually check for large amounts of ice crystals or dry, discolored areas indicating freezer burn. While safe, quality will be compromised. Smell for any strong, unpleasant odors that suggest spoilage or absorption of freezer odors.
Storage Tips
Peel, core, and slice/dice pears. You can blanch them briefly or toss with lemon juice to prevent browning. Pack tightly in airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. Best used in cooked applications like pies, crumbles, or smoothies after thawing.
Cut Pears in Refrigerator1-3 days
Signs of Spoilage
Excessive browning (beyond light oxidation), very soft/mushy texture, slimy film, sour or off-putting smell, mold.
How to Check
Look for a slimy appearance or any visible mold. Observe if the browning is very dark and widespread. Touch the pieces – if they are mushy or slimy, discard them. Smell for any sour or fermented odors.
Storage Tips
To prevent rapid browning, toss cut pears with a little lemon juice, pineapple juice, or a commercial fruit preserver solution. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped.