Bosc Pears Delivery or Pickup

During the time of the Bosc pear's discovery, European convention was to use a two-name system for naming pears. The first name was to identify the fruit's character, while the second name referenced the fruit's origin or propagator. However, the Bosc pear goes by several different names because its origin remains in contention to this day. The discovery of the Bosc pear occurred in the early 1800s. Some historians argue it was raised from seed by French horticulturist Louis Bosc in Belgium. Others insist it appeared in Appremont, France, with an ancient tree's discovery.

The Buerre Bosc name identifies it as a "buttery" pear discovered by Louis Bosc, while the Buerre d'Apremont variety identifies it as originating in the French town Appremont. Another name, the Calabasse Bosc, identifies it as gourd-shaped. Some countries call the Bosc pear Kaiser Alexander, further confusing the issue.

The Bosc pear was first cultivated on the eastern coast of the United States in 1833. Growers soon discovered that the trees thrived in the soil and climate of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, the Bosc pear grows predominantly in the states of Oregon and Washington. 

The Bosc pear has a very distinctive appearance. A long, curved stem, elongated neck, and fully rounded bottom give the Bosc an elegant profile, often depicted in paintings from renowned artists. Bosc pears are known for their russeting, usually occurring over the entire surface and resulting in a warm brown color. 

The flesh has a firm, dense crispness and a complex flavor with honey-sweet juiciness when fully ripe. The Bosc pear has the unique distinction of gaining sweetness before becoming fully ripe. At this stage, the Bosc pear works well in poaching, baking, and broiling recipes where the flesh remains firm yet sweet.

The Bosc pear has a denser flesh, so it feels firmer when ripe. Experts suggest applying gentle pressure to the neck to check for subtle softness. A slight wrinkling occurs around the stem when the Bosc pear ripens fully. Sometimes, the green hue beneath the russeted skin turns yellow, indicating ripeness.

Like most fruit, you want to select pears that are free from bruising or other disfiguration. These blemishes indicate poor storage and handling, and the resulting flavor and texture may be compromised. Some grocers package pears in bags for convenience. When selecting a bag of Bosc pears, you should avoid bags with damaged fruit.

Many people are happy to buy Bosc pears that aren't quite ripe because the pear continues ripening after being picked. You can keep the pear at room temperature for a couple of days only. Once ripe, you should transfer the Bosc pear to the refrigerator to keep for several more days. 

For culinary use, you should immediately put the Bosc pear in cold storage. The flesh's firmness, combined with its natural sweetness even when unripe, makes the Bosc pear a versatile option in the kitchen. Bosc pears can be canned or frozen for more extended storage.

You can save time shopping for Bosc pears by using the Instacart app. First, select the quantity of Bosc pears and add them to your cart. After checkout, an Instacart shopper will shop your order and have it ready for in-store pick-up in as little as 2 hours. Some orders may qualify for same-day delivery!