Bartlett Pears
Estimated Inventory, 44 lbs : 6.42
This item was last sold on : 04/20/25
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.
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| The Besta-Wan Pizza House | Cardiff CA | 805-231-2515 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
| Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Green Acres Campus Bar | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Wormwood (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Leu Leu | Leucadia CA | 619-316-5807 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Crest Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-295-2510 |
| Wildland Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| California English | San Diego CA | 727-515-0362 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
| Brandon Matzek- Blogger | San Diego CA | 800-221-9730 |
| South O Brewing Catering | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
| Tahona (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Bartlett Pears. One
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