Bartlett Pears

Estimated Inventory, 44 lbs : 1.52
This item was last sold on : 07/21/25

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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.

Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393
Revolution Roasters	Oceanside CA	760-330-6827
Rosemary Trattoria	Coronado CA	619-669-8435
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Portside Pier (TopSail)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Cross Roots	San Diego CA	858-245-1678
Fresh Sushi Catering	Carlsbad CA	858-344-7098
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Sycuan Casino	El Cajon CA	619-445-6002

the other 18...

Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	858-663-9916
The Haven (Pizzeria)	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Beach Terrance Inn	Carlsbad CA	760-729-5951
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
Pacific Yacht Agents	Los Angeles CA	808-214-0970
Wormwood (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Searcher Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-861-4640
My Chef	San Diego CA	916-217-0049
The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Terra Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-293-7088
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5995
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Puesto-Downtown	San Diego CA	619-233-8880
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Coco Maya by Miss Bs	San Diego CA	858-245-3780

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Bartlett Pears. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Apron Strings		Cinnamon Red Hots Candy Canned Pears
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Pear Bourbon Smash Cocktail
The Healthy Foodie		Juicy Pear Smoothie
May I Have That Recipe?		Ginger, Pear, & Turmeric Muffins
Capturing Joy		Gluten Free Cinnamon Pear Pancakes
Bon Appetit		Sautéed Pears with Bacon and Mustard Dressing
Floating Kitchen		Pear and Ginger Scones with White Chocolate Drizzle
Delish		Crispy Prosciutto Cups with Pear
This Gal Cooks		Super Fruit and Walnut Quinoa Salad
Ciao Florentina		Basil Pear Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing

the other 27...

Life Made Simple		Poached Pear and Almond Tart
Woolworths		Apple & Pear Pikelets
Food to Love		Caramel, Apple and Pear Danish
Shutterbean		Pear Custard Pie
Dessert for Two		Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread
A Dash of Compassion		Pear Vanilla Fruit Leather
Running to the Kitchen		Pear, bacon and brie grilled cheese
Natasha's Kitchen		Print Blueberry Pear Smoothie
BriGeeski		Pickled Pear Carnitas Taco with Jalapeno Crema
Stirring Stew		Bartlett Pears a la Mode
Reluctant Entertainer		Roasted Chicken with Honey Bacon Pears
A Beautiful Mess		Green Apple and Pear Chi-Chi Cocktail
Radiate Food Vibes		Fresh Mozzarella and Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Maple Mustard
Firefly Farms		Blue Cheese, Pear, and Prosciutto Flatbread with Rosemary Vinaigrette
Kitchen Treaty		Autumn Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Spiced Double Pear Martini
Tangerine Zest		Nice Pear and Chocolate Cake
Yay For Food		Healthy Pear Ginger Chia Smoothie
Foodness Gracious		Blackberry and Pear Galette with Rosemary
Seasons And Suppers		Italian Pear Almond Cake
Food In Jars		Bartlett Pear Chutney with Dried Cherries and Ginger
Feed Them Wisely		Spinach, Pear and Toasted Pecan Salad with Boursin Cheese
Recipe Runner		Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza
Vikalinka		Salted Caramel Pear Tarts
The Restless Palat		Pear and Hazelnut Tart with Lemon Goat Cheese Cream
Carlsbad Cravings		Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa
Empowered Sustenance		Rosemary Infused Pear Sorbet