Bartlett Pears

Estimated Inventory, 44 lbs : 4.43
This item was last sold on : 07/02/25

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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.

Shoreside Support Boat	San Diego CA	704-277-7929
The Haven (Pizzeria)	San Diego CA	619-964-3778
Pacific Yacht Agents	Los Angeles CA	808-214-0970
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
Beach Terrance Inn	Carlsbad CA	760-729-5951
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5995
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Leila	San Diego CA	619-550-5412
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet)	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Siamo Napoli	San Diego CA	619-300-4810
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Ballast Point Rest. - Miramar	San Diego CA	858-790-6900

the other 32...

Bistro du Marche by Tapenade	La Jolla CA	858-551-7500
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo	San Diego CA	858-487-1134
Marine Group Global Services LLC	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Urbn Pizza Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-255-7300
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	858-663-9916
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222
Leu Leu	Leucadia CA	619-316-5807
Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393
Hash House A Go Go	San Diego CA	951-764-0605
Sycuan Casino	El Cajon CA	619-445-6002
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort	Carlsbad CA	760-602-0800
Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill	San Diego CA	619-497-0914
Coco Maya by Miss Bs	San Diego CA	858-245-3780
Napatini Bistro & Wine Bar	Carlsbad CA	415-505-5955
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
Matsu	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Terra Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-293-7088
Portside Pier (TopSail)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Fresh Sushi Catering	Carlsbad CA	858-344-7098
Rosemary Trattoria	Coronado CA	619-669-8435
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
The Farm Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-5585
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Bartlett Pears. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Radiate Food Vibes		Fresh Mozzarella and Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Maple Mustard
This Gal Cooks		Super Fruit and Walnut Quinoa Salad
A Beautiful Mess		Green Apple and Pear Chi-Chi Cocktail
Foodness Gracious		Blackberry and Pear Galette with Rosemary
Delish		Crispy Prosciutto Cups with Pear
Food to Love		Caramel, Apple and Pear Danish
The Healthy Foodie		Juicy Pear Smoothie
Running to the Kitchen		Pear, bacon and brie grilled cheese
Food In Jars		Bartlett Pear Chutney with Dried Cherries and Ginger
Dessert for Two		Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread

the other 27...

Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Pear Bourbon Smash Cocktail
The Restless Palat		Pear and Hazelnut Tart with Lemon Goat Cheese Cream
Recipe Runner		Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza
Apron Strings		Cinnamon Red Hots Candy Canned Pears
Tangerine Zest		Nice Pear and Chocolate Cake
Life Made Simple		Poached Pear and Almond Tart
Floating Kitchen		Pear and Ginger Scones with White Chocolate Drizzle
Woolworths		Apple & Pear Pikelets
BriGeeski		Pickled Pear Carnitas Taco with Jalapeno Crema
Empowered Sustenance		Rosemary Infused Pear Sorbet
Ciao Florentina		Basil Pear Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing
Capturing Joy		Gluten Free Cinnamon Pear Pancakes
Natasha's Kitchen		Print Blueberry Pear Smoothie
Kitchen Treaty		Autumn Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing
A Dash of Compassion		Pear Vanilla Fruit Leather
Bon Appetit		Sautéed Pears with Bacon and Mustard Dressing
Reluctant Entertainer		Roasted Chicken with Honey Bacon Pears
Seasons And Suppers		Italian Pear Almond Cake
Carlsbad Cravings		Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa
Vikalinka		Salted Caramel Pear Tarts
May I Have That Recipe?		Ginger, Pear, & Turmeric Muffins
Stirring Stew		Bartlett Pears a la Mode
Feed Them Wisely		Spinach, Pear and Toasted Pecan Salad with Boursin Cheese
Yay For Food		Healthy Pear Ginger Chia Smoothie
Shutterbean		Pear Custard Pie
Firefly Farms		Blue Cheese, Pear, and Prosciutto Flatbread with Rosemary Vinaigrette
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Spiced Double Pear Martini