Currently not in season

Pears in the Thermomix®

We have matched 5 English Thermomix® recipes with pears. Here is the season window, buying advice and the best MixMyDay recipe links.

Seasonal calendar by month

When are pears in season?

Harvested from August to October across Europe, with storage varieties available into January..

Outdoor crop: fresh European harvest. Protected crop: greenhouse or covered cultivation. Stored: European harvest kept in storage.

Buying and storing pears

Three varieties are especially common across Europe: Williams (juicy and sweet, main season August to September, ideal for preserving), Conference (mild and mellow, firm flesh, keeps well into November) and Alexander Lucas (large, aromatic, stores until January). You can tell a fresh pear by its smooth, undamaged skin. It should give slightly to finger pressure near the stalk. Yellow patches with brown discolouration and softness elsewhere point to overripe fruit.

Pears ripen quickly at room temperature. If you want them to ripen for another day or two, leave them out on the worktop. In the fridge they keep for four to seven days. Firmer varieties such as Conference will store in a cool, dark place for up to two months. To preserve them, put the peeled pieces straight into lemon water, then bottle them or preserve them as compote.

Preparing pears in the Thermomix®

Pears oxidise quickly once cut. We therefore add lemon juice straight away as we work. For pear jam, bring the peeled, destalked pear pieces to the boil in the Thermomix® with lemon juice, sugar and preserving sugar at 100 °C on the stirring setting, then let it boil hard for 8 minutes. For mulled pear wine, warm the spices and wine gently at 80 °C on speed 1, add the sliced pears and leave them to infuse for 10 minutes.

For our Red Cabbage and Pear Salad, slice the raw pears into wedges and fold them in just before serving so they do not turn brown. For the Apple and Pear Tarte Flambee, choose slightly firm pears so the slices do not turn to mush during baking.

The most common mistakes with pears

Working with pears without lemon juice. Pear flesh oxidises very quickly and turns brown. Always drop it into lemon water straight after peeling and cutting, or stir lemon juice through it right away, especially for salads and tarte flambee.
Using overripe pears for compote and cakes. Pears that are too soft fall apart completely when heated. Always use fruit that is still slightly firm for compote and cakes. Overripe pears, on the other hand, work well in smoothies or blended dishes.
Storing pears together with apples. Apples give off ethylene gas, which makes pears overripen very quickly. Store both fruits separately and cool so the pears do not turn soft and mealy within a few days.

Complete list

All 5 Thermomix® recipes with pears

Pears as the main ingredient (5 recipes)

Goes well with pears

These seasonal ingredients are in season at the same time, ideal for combining:

Pears in the monthly calendar:

FAQ

Good to know

How can I tell if pears are ripe when buying them?

A ripe pear gives under gentle pressure near the stalk. The skin is smooth and undamaged. Yellow patches with brown discolouration elsewhere point to overripe fruit.

Which pear variety is best for preserving?

Williams is the classic preserving pear: juicy, aromatic and good at holding its shape when heated. Conference also works well, stays firmer and has a more mellow aroma.

Why do pears turn brown so quickly when cut?

The enzyme polyphenol oxidase reacts immediately with the oxygen in the air. Lemon juice lowers the pH and stops this reaction. Always drop pear pieces into lemon water straight after cutting.

Can you freeze pears?

Yes, ideally peeled, in pieces and mixed with a little lemon juice. Alternatively preserve them as compote. Raw frozen pears lose their structure once thawed and are then only good for blending.

How many Thermomix® recipes with pears are there?

There are currently 5 recipes in our collection. You will find them above, sorted by main ingredient and supporting ingredient.