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Packham Pear Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Packham pears
About Packham pears
Instacart delivers fresh produce, including Packham pears, from your favorite local and national retailers near you. Order through Instacart, and Instacart shoppers pick the highest-quality produce for same-day delivery or pickup in as little as 2 hours! Whether you need fresh fruit for lunchtime snacks or you're baking a pie, save time and money shopping for Packham pears when you order via Instacart.
In 1896, an Australian orchardist and pear breeder named Charles Henry Packham bred a Bell and a Bartlett pear to create a new variety of pear. An expert at the Australian Department of Agriculture declared it the finest pear ever. The Packham pear quickly gained popularity around the world. Today, Packham pears grow in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa.
Packham pears are medium to large in size. They have a wide bottom that tapers toward the top. Inside, the moist, fine-grained flesh is white to ivory in color. Packham pears share many similarities with Bartlett pears, including size, shape, and taste. However, Packham pears have a slightly broader base and bumpy skin. They have a richer, sweeter taste and bolder aroma than Barlett pears. Packham pears are also known as autumn Bartletts since they ripen later in the season.
How to tell if a Packham pear is ripe
Most types of fruit reach their peak while they're still on the branch or vine. Packham pears do not. They need to come off the tree when they're mature but not fully ripe. Once they appear ripe, it's too late. The insides will have a mushy or mealy texture. It takes about a week for Packham pears to ripen once harvested. This is important to keep in mind when shopping for Packham pears since they likely need a bit more time to ripen before you eat them.
Simply store your pears on a countertop at room temperature and let them ripen from the inside out. To speed up the process, pop your pears in a paper bag with an apple or banana. These fruits release ethylene gas that helps fruits ripen faster. You'll know your Packham pears are fully ripe once their skin turns from green to light yellow. Use your thumb to apply light pressure to the neck of the pear. If it gives way slightly, your pear is ready to eat. Once ripe, store your pears in the fridge to delay the ripening process and make them last longer.
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The best ways to eat a Packham pear
Whole, ripe pears don't have a very long shelf life. They last only three to four days when stored at room temperature on the counter or in the pantry. They keep much longer — five to twelve days — when refrigerated. Once you slice into them, pears last just one day on the countertop and one to three days in the fridge. Be sure to wrap them tightly in a plastic bag or an airtight container to limit air exposure.
While it's not recommended to freeze fresh pears, popping cut pears in the freezer can extend their shelf life for as long as six to nine months. Previously canned pears last up to one week in the refrigerator. Remember, this is just a guideline, and individual cases may vary.
Take a good look at your Packham pear's skin. If you see lots of blemishes or brown bruises, it's a good sign the pear is rotten. Another way to tell if a Packham pear is spoiled is to press on it with your thumb gently. If it breaks the skin, you know your pear is likely soft on the inside. However, these simple tests aren't foolproof. Sometimes, the only way to tell if a Packham pear is bad is to cut into it. If the center is soft and brown, don't eat it or use it for cooking.
You can only find Packham pears at certain times of the year. The availability of Packham pears varies depending on where you live. In the northern hemisphere, you can find them from spring through winter, which is fall through spring in the southern hemisphere.