Texture matters when it comes to food. For some, the texture is as important (sometimes even more important) than the taste.
If you’ve ever eaten pears, you might have noticed something interesting about their texture. It can get kind of grainy or gritty.
We’ve looked into why pears are gritty, and we’ll be sharing the answer with you here. If you’re not a fan of that grittiness, we’ll also explain how you can get pears that aren’t gritty.
Quick Answer: Why are Pears Gritty?
Pears get gritty because they have stone cells in them. These stone cells are the same ones found inside cherry pits or the shells of walnuts.
These cells are found in all pears, without exception. However, there are ways you can get pears that aren’t as gritty as others.
Related Article: Why are Pears so Expensive?
How to Get Pears that aren’t Gritty
One way to get smoother pears is incredibly simple: just buy them from your grocery store. These pears are often of specific varieties that don’t have as many stone cells as others.
To ensure your pears are even less gritty, look for ones that are younger. As a pear matures, it gets grittier and grittier.
You Might Also Like: Why are Pears so Soft?
Your other option is to grow pears of your own and harvest them at the right time. Knowing when to harvest a pear is tricky, because you shouldn’t let them ripen on the tree. By the time it looks ripe on the tree, it will have turned grainy, which is what you’re trying to avoid.
How do you know when to pick the pear? Grab the pear and flip it onto its side. It will come off the branch effortlessly if it’s ready, and if it’s stuck to the branch, it’s not ready.
Related Article: Why are My Pears so Hard? (And How to Fix It)
Knowing When a Pear Has Gone Bad
Your pear will continue to ripen after it’s been picked from the tree. The key to eating a pear after picking it is being able to tell when it’s ripe or when it has gone bad.
If there’s some bruising on your pear, it’s likely still okay to eat. However, consider peeling the skin off any areas that don’t look like the right color.
Also Read: Why are Pears Wrapped in Paper?
Pears that are no longer good will have flesh that’s soft and dark. Dispose of any pears that look like that underneath their skin.
Obviously, if there’s any mold or juice leaking from the pears, then you’ll know right away that they’re not safe for eating.
Read Also: What Do Pears Taste Like?
Wrap Up
If texture is important to you with your food, then you might not enjoy the grittiness that pears are known for. Unfortunately, this is just a natural part of pears because of their stone cells.
However, by choosing pears before they’re completely ripe, you can ensure yours will have a smoother texture to them. You can do this by purchasing pears from grocery stores or by growing your own and picking them at the appropriate time.
You Might Also Like: Why are Pears Called Pears?
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
