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Forelle Pears Delivery or Pickup

The Instacart guide to Forelle pears


About Forelle pears

Forelle pears originated in Saxony, Germany, sometime in the 1600s, making them an ancient and distinguished variety. In German, the word Forelle translates to trout. Many believe this stems from the bright red lenticels or freckles on the pear's skin, similar to those found on the rainbow trout. Forelle pears even go by the name trout pear in some regions. 

The Forelle pear was first brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 1800s. Today, they thrive in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon. South Africa's Cape province grows the most commercial volume of the Forelle pear worldwide. Chile produces the Forelle pear for export in significant quantities. 

Forelle pears are diminutive in size, ranging between 2.5 to 3.5 inches. That puts them only a little larger than the smallest pear variety, Seckel pears. Forelles have a symmetrical, bell-shaped body that tapers from the round base up to a short neck. The narrow stem of the Forelle stretches straight and long, unusual for pears. The red freckles are perhaps the most unique characteristic.

The crisp, juicy flesh of the Forelle pear may be one of the best-kept secrets in the pear world. Of the commercially grown pears, the Forelle has the fewest commercial orchards, which might contribute to the Forelle's relative anonymity. That said, the Forelle pear has a strong demand for those who understand its virtues. Forelle pears also have an unmatched tangy sweetness.

The Forelle pear begins with a green skin that turns yellow as it ripens, making it one of the few pears that change color on the tree. Farmers harvest them beginning in September, and they remain available in stores through January.

How to select Forelle pears

The Forelle pear gets picked just before ripening. Farmers usually wait until the first pear falls before they begin the harvest. Unfortunately, pears ripen from the inside out. To test for ripeness, you can gently squeeze the top of the pear, testing for softness. A slight give without mushiness indicates the pear has almost reached fully ripe status. 

It's best if you avoid pears with any bruising or blemishes, as these will hasten the spoiling of the pear. Like apples, pears release ethylene, a gaseous compound that induces ripening, and this excretion doesn't stop after picking. One rotten pear has the potential to spoil those around it, so be sure to examine any bulk bagged pears for disfiguration or discoloration.

How to store Forelle pears

Forelle pears continue to ripen after being picked. You can leave them in your fruit basket at room temperature for up to one week, depending on how ripe they were to begin. Storing unripe Forelle pears In your refrigerator will extend their life for several weeks. Once ripe, Forelle pears will last a few days in the fridge.

Once sliced, Forelle pears will begin to brown almost immediately. If you plan on packing them as a snack for later, you should rub them with lemon juice to delay browning for several hours. 

You can save time shopping for Forelle pears by using the Instacart app! All you need to do is add the pears to your cart and check out. Once you complete the checkout process, an Instacart shopper will assemble your order and deliver it in as little as 2 hours!

Forelle Pears Near Me

Buy your favorite Forelle Pears online with Instacart. Order Forelle Pears from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

FAQs about Forelle pears

Forelle pears make an excellent snack eaten fresh. You can slice them and serve them on salads or poach them to include in other recipes. Their sweetness makes for excellent dessert dishes, and the crisp texture holds up well in hot recipes. You can bake them in pies or tarts or dip them in chocolate, similar to strawberries. The Forelle pear's color and seasonal availability make an excellent fruit bowl for display during the holidays.

Yes, although the bag can be any type of bag. The bag will trap the ethylene gas emitted by the pears, concentrating the ripening effect. It may reduce the ripening time from one to four days, depending on how ripe they were to begin with, so check every day to avoid spoilage.

Yes. Fruit trees are exposed to the elements and can have dirt or debris when they arrive at the grocery store. Also, some farmers spray the pear trees with solutions that protect against disease and other bio-invasive threats. Most companies use environmentally friendly compounds that are harmless if ingested, but not all. Rather than leave it to chance, you should wash your pears with a gentle scrub in cool water just before using.