Bartlett Pears

Estimated Inventory, 44 lbs : 2.62
This item was last sold on : 07/29/25

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Description/Taste

Bartlett pears are medium to large in size and are the only pears that have a true pyriform, or pear shape, which has a rounded large bottom half and tapers to a smaller curved neck with a light brown, slender stem. The skin brightens as it ripens, transforming from green to a golden yellow, and is smooth, firm, and thick with some blushing and russeting. The flesh is aromatic, moist, cream-colored to ivory, and is fine-grained encasing a central core containing a few small, black-brown seeds. When mature but not fully ripe, Bartlett pears are crunchy, tart, and slightly gritty, but when fully ripe, they develop a juicy, smooth, buttery texture with a sweet flavor.

Seasons/Availability

Bartlett pears are available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.

Current Facts

Bartlett pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are the fruits of a fast-growing tree that can reach over six meters in height and are members of the Rosaceae family along with apples, peaches, and apricots. Also known as Williams or Williams’ Bon Chrétien’ pear outside of the United States, Bartlett pears are a popular early season variety in both Europe and the United States. Bartlett pears are favored for their unique shape, rich coloring, sweet flavor, and smooth texture, and can be used in a wide variety of culinary applications including savory dishes, desserts, and cocktails.

Nutritional Value

Bartlett pears contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and some iron.

Applications

Bartlett pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking, boiling, and grilling. They can be eaten fresh, out-of-hand, added to salads for a sweet flavor, sliced into wedges and served on cheese boards, or blended into a granita to top ice cream. Bartlett pears can also be layered in sandwiches such as grilled cheese, used as a topping over pizza, or chopped with other fruits and stuffed in poblano chiles in Mexico’s independence day dish known as chiles en noganda. Also, the pears can be smoked over a charcoal grill for added flavor or sliced to add a sweet flavor to cocktails with tequila and mezcal. Bartlett pears also make excellent preserves, syrups, and chutneys, can be dried, and make great additions to cakes, muffins, crisps, and quick bread. Bartlett pears compliment gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, garlic, onions, shallots, poblano chiles, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, pomegranate seeds, strawberry, apple, spinach, pork, chicken, lamb, oysters, oregano, rosemary, parsley, mint, cilantro, Thai basil, lemongrass, matcha green tea powder, cinnamon, allspice, and honey. They will keep up to three weeks when stored in the refrigerator and a little over one year when stored in the freezer.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Bartlett pears are known in the United States as the “canning pear” because they hold their shape and have a distinct flavor and sweetness when preserved. Approximately two-thirds of the Bartlett pear production in the United States is dedicated to producing purees, canning halves, slices, or pieces, and for pear juice. Canned pears are widely available at supermarkets, but some consumers choose to can their own pears at home boiling sugar, syrups, apple juice, or water with the pear slices. While canning at home is an excellent way to preserve an excess amount of pears for extended use, caution should be taken to ensure that the canning and preserving process are done correctly to avoid health-related issues.

Geography/History

Bartlett pears are native to Europe and were discovered in England initially by a schoolmaster named Mr. Stair in 1765. A nurseryman named Williams later acquired the variety and introduced it to the rest of England. In 1799, Williams pear trees were imported to Massachusetts and were planted on the estate of Thomas Brewer. The estate was then acquired by Enoch Bartlett, who later propagated and introduced the pear under his own name, unaware that the variety was already established as Williams in Europe. Twenty-five years after it was introduced in the United States, it was discovered that the Bartlett and the Williams were the same variety and today it is still known by the two names in Europe and the United States. Bartlett pears can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers in the United States, specifically Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, Canada, and Europe.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Beach Terrance Inn	Carlsbad CA	760-729-5951
Wormwood (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Rustic Root	San Diego CA	619-232-1747
Terra Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-293-7088
Cross Roots	San Diego CA	858-245-1678
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Searcher Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-861-4640
Coco Maya by Miss Bs	San Diego CA	858-245-3780
Puesto-Downtown	San Diego CA	619-233-8880
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
The Haven (Pizzeria)	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Fresh Sushi Catering	Carlsbad CA	858-344-7098
Portside Pier (TopSail)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Ctzn	Solana Beach CA	858-925-7141
Lilo	Carlsbad CA	619-385-0914

the other 14...

My Chef	San Diego CA	916-217-0049
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	858-663-9916
Revolution Roasters	Oceanside CA	760-330-6827
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Rosemary Trattoria	Coronado CA	619-669-8435
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Bartlett Pears. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Ciao Florentina		Basil Pear Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing
Dessert for Two		Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread
A Beautiful Mess		Green Apple and Pear Chi-Chi Cocktail
Running to the Kitchen		Pear, bacon and brie grilled cheese
The Healthy Foodie		Juicy Pear Smoothie
Capturing Joy		Gluten Free Cinnamon Pear Pancakes
Food In Jars		Bartlett Pear Chutney with Dried Cherries and Ginger
Life Made Simple		Poached Pear and Almond Tart
Yay For Food		Healthy Pear Ginger Chia Smoothie
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Pear Bourbon Smash Cocktail

the other 27...

This Gal Cooks		Super Fruit and Walnut Quinoa Salad
Empowered Sustenance		Rosemary Infused Pear Sorbet
Food to Love		Caramel, Apple and Pear Danish
Delish		Crispy Prosciutto Cups with Pear
The Restless Palat		Pear and Hazelnut Tart with Lemon Goat Cheese Cream
Foodness Gracious		Blackberry and Pear Galette with Rosemary
Seasons And Suppers		Italian Pear Almond Cake
May I Have That Recipe?		Ginger, Pear, & Turmeric Muffins
Kitchen Treaty		Autumn Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing
Stirring Stew		Bartlett Pears a la Mode
Woolworths		Apple & Pear Pikelets
Feed Them Wisely		Spinach, Pear and Toasted Pecan Salad with Boursin Cheese
Floating Kitchen		Pear and Ginger Scones with White Chocolate Drizzle
Apron Strings		Cinnamon Red Hots Candy Canned Pears
Firefly Farms		Blue Cheese, Pear, and Prosciutto Flatbread with Rosemary Vinaigrette
Tangerine Zest		Nice Pear and Chocolate Cake
Vikalinka		Salted Caramel Pear Tarts
Reluctant Entertainer		Roasted Chicken with Honey Bacon Pears
A Dash of Compassion		Pear Vanilla Fruit Leather
Radiate Food Vibes		Fresh Mozzarella and Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Maple Mustard
Shutterbean		Pear Custard Pie
Recipe Runner		Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza
Carlsbad Cravings		Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa
BriGeeski		Pickled Pear Carnitas Taco with Jalapeno Crema
Bon Appetit		Sautéed Pears with Bacon and Mustard Dressing
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Spiced Double Pear Martini
Natasha's Kitchen		Print Blueberry Pear Smoothie