When to Pick Bosc Pears

• As with all pears, Bosc pears should be picked from the tree before they are ripe. The Bosc pear is ready to be picked from early to mid-September when the pear begins to tilt horizontally on the stem. Choose the largest pears from the tree first and let the smaller pears grow a bit more before picking.
  
  

Ripening Bosc Pears

• Allow your Bosc pear to ripen before refrigerating it by leaving it at room temperature until the neck of the pear slightly gives when you push it with your finger. David Sugar of the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center suggests five to seven days for ripening Bosc pears. The pear will also have slight russeting of the skin, which means it has a roughened brownish tinge. This is entirely normal for a Bosc pear and offers a nice contrast to the soft flesh of a pear when eaten unpeeled. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, once a Bosc pear has been ripened, you can store it at a cool temperature of about 40 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit for about one month.
  
  

Faster Method to Ripen Pears

• If you are in a hurry and want to speed up the ripening process, you can place your pear in a paper bag with a few ripe apples or bananas for a day or two. The ripe fruit emits ethylene gas, which will speed up the ripening of the pear.
  
  

Tips on Storing Pears

• Do not store your pears in close contact with other vegetables that emit strong odors, such as onions; the pears will absorb the smell.