Which Pear Wins the Taste Test?

Chloe as the Pear Queen

We have a new pear queen, as I bequeathed my position to 8 year old Chloe at the end of a splendid learning session about pears.  As part of our pear fun, we had a taste test with Chloe, her mom and myself.  I was surprised at the kinds of pears that unanimously came in first and second place.

The Bosc pear was the winner and the red anjou came in second place.  Bartlett pears may have done better if they had been in season.

Judith the dietitian and Chloe

The red Anjou has always been a favorite pear of mine but I've tended to avoid the tan Bosc pear with it's elongated neck.  I'll definitely buy them now that I know how delicious they are.  They are also great for cooking because they hold their shape so well.  They have a succulent, juicy flavor and have the least obtrusive skin texture and taste better than the other pears in our taste test.

Chloe ready to learn about pears

Try a taste test of your own.  Remember to check the necks for ripeness; pears ripen after they have been picked, not on the tree like apples.  Barrette pears are the only pears that change colors as they ripen (from green to yellow or brighter red depending on the type of Bartlett pear). See my Precious Pear post for more pear specifics.

Taste tests are a fun, positive way to have children try new and unfamiliar foods. Have them rate the foods in order of how much they like them. There is always a winner and there is only one food that comes in last place.

Chloe cutting a pear

Blind Pear Taste Test

Mom writing down Chloes responses to pear taste test