




Bartlett Pears
Inventory, 44 lbs : 12.13
This item was last sold on : 03/21/23
Food Buzz: History of Pears | |
Food Fable: Pears |
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.
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
St. Paul's Senior Services | San Diego CA | 619-239-6900 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
Claire's on Cedros - SKSB | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Leichtag Foundation | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6772 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Shake and Muddle | Chula Vista CA | 619-816-5429 |
Bantams Roost Public House | Carlsbad CA | 858-245-7166 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-647-4409 |
Prager Brothers Artisan Bread | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-9536 |
Justin Weiss | Bonsall CA | 760-724-9875 |
Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
Prager Brothers (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-704-8441 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Ska Bar & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 925-487-2025 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
The Monsaraz | San Diego CA | 858-760-6228 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Jujus Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-471-5342 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Marriott Courtyard Nolen | San Diego CA | 619-544-1004 |
Boss Bird Kitchen | La Mesa CA | 858-566-9191 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
Olivewood Gardens -Donation | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Taproom Collective | San Diego CA | 760-518-4242 |
Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Bartlett Pears. One

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People have shared Bartlett Pears using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 185 days ago, 9/18/22 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]() About 187 days ago, 9/16/22 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears From Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 205 days ago, 8/29/22 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 227 days ago, 8/07/22 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from See Canyon ![]() ![]()
See Canyon Orchards
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSan Luis Obispo,CA 805-459-1829 About 231 days ago, 8/03/22 ![]() ![]()
Jacy Farm
Near Poway, California, United StatesAnza, CA About 501 days ago, 11/06/21 ![]() ![]()
Chequamegon Food Co-op
Wisconsin, United States700 Main Street West Ashland WI 54806 715-682-8251 http://www.chequamegonfoodcoop.com/ About 502 days ago, 11/05/21 Sharer's comments : organic bartlett's. $1.69 per pound ![]() ![]() About 510 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : The Very Last of the Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]() About 521 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 538 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties ![]() ![]()
Penryn Orchards
Near Santa Barbara, California, United StatesAbout 543 days ago, 9/25/21 Sharer's comments : Bartlett Pears from Penryn Orchards ![]() ![]()
Ramona Grown
Near Santee, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 546 days ago, 9/22/21 ![]() ![]()
Amador Farms
Near Seattle, Washington, United States4233 Desmarais Rd Zillah WA 98936 509-594-7098 https://www.facebook.com/amadorfarmsdeyakima/ About 566 days ago, 9/02/21 Sharer's comments : My favorite salad pear - perfect on a arugula walnut salad! ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 568 days ago, 8/31/21 Sharer's comments : Bartlett pears from penryn orchard specialties ![]() ![]() About 581 days ago, 8/18/21 |