Pears are easily bruised, so handle with care. Cool temperatures slow down the ripening process and warmer temperatures speed it up. You can speed up the ripening process by placing the pears in a brown paper bag, which only takes 2 to 5 days. You can store pears for 3 to 5 days by placing them in a refrigerator.

Bartlett pears turn from green to yellow when ripe - but most pears don't change color when ripe. D'Anjou pears do not turn yellow when ripe.Instead, their color will turn from a dark green to a lighter shade of green.

Check for ripeness by gently pressing your thumb against the stem end of the pear. They are ready to eat when they are slightly soft to the touch. Remember that pears ripen from the inside out, so the exterior may be a bit firm, though they are actually soft on the inside.