Tag Archives: pear ripening

Check the neck.

Brittany By on

It’s a simple catchphrase, but it does its job, as the best of catchy phrases should. Check the neck: these three words are the key to sweet and juicy USA Pears. If you’re one of those people, like my roommate, who has always felt, oh, ambivalent about eating (not to mention enjoying) fresh pears, you’ll want to pay attention now. You’ve probably felt that way because the pears you’ve had in the past have been lackluster. Unripe. Overripe. Languishing in a fruit cocktail mix on your grade school lunch line. But that can all change now! You, too, can enjoy juicy, delicious pears that are sweet as candy! You’ll just need to check the neck. It’s simple: hold a pear in the palm of your hand and press near the stem with your thumb. If the skin there gives a little Continue reading →

The Time is Ripe for Pears: Portland

Brittany By on

Last week, we brought The Time is Ripe for Pears tour to our hometown, Portland! On Thursday, we were treated to an amazing luncheon at Castagna, where the food looked more like art. Take the starter, for example. We were presented with this of-the-earth ceramic bowl (which I secretly wanted to smuggle home in my purse – after licking it clean, of course). The bowl contained drops of tangy yogurt, cubed Comice pear, and wisps of fennel. I was excited with this unusual starter, but it wasn’t done yet! Our server placed a box in the center of our table that contained little packets. Pear packets. No joke – they were made of dehydrated pear and filled with granola, and we were told to crumble them over our  yogurt. Gladly! The meal continued on in a similarly jaw-dropping fashion. One of Continue reading →