How to keep pears fresh for the winter

In this article, we will take a closer look at how to keep pears fresh for the winter.

Pear is a healthy and tasty fruit that contains vitamins and minerals. It is included in favorite recipes for compotes, jellies, juices, and is also used in various culinary recipes. However, pears are rarely used for winter storage. Although the storage conditions for pears are similar to apples. What is the main reason?

Only winter varieties are suitable for storage. In many regions, pears do not have time to ripen to the desired ripeness. Again, this is best for storage. The Russian register contains many varieties of pears that ripen in late autumn.

What must be observed when picking pears?

Pears are a very delicate crop that is very demanding when harvesting. And pears cannot be treated the same way as apples. Most likely, this is the main reason that this crop is rarely harvested for winter storage. There are some rules to follow when picking pears.

Early ripening and early varieties are suitable only for quick fresh consumption and conservation. They cannot be stored for a long time. For storage, you need types of pears with long lasting ease. These include pears, fall and late winter varieties. Typically, these varieties are harvested in removable ripeness. All growth and accumulation processes take place in the final phase. These pears are easy to pick. This is facilitated by the formed cork layer from the stem to the branch.

In removable ripeness, the fruit has a bland and tough pulp. Such varieties ripen already in the storage stage. This lasts up to four weeks, and in some varieties, more than a month. The following rules should be observed when harvesting:

- harvesting is prohibited in rainy weather;
- be careful when picking fruits;
- exclude manual contact;
- careless handling during harvesting is prohibited;

If you carelessly collect the fruits, allowing dents and damage, further safe storage of pears is impossible. At technical ripeness, the fruit is covered with a characteristic waxy coating, which protects the fruit from external influences, forming a characteristic film. In order not to break the wax layer, gloves are needed when harvesting. Do not damage the fruit stem and allow small dents. Since this will further provoke rotting. All fallen pears must not be sent for storage. Even if no visible damage was found on visual inspection. Such fruits must be discarded.

Preparing pears for storage.

Fruits can only be stored dry. Even summer pears, which are simply stored in the refrigerator, need to be washed just before use. In case of contamination, the fruits are wiped off with a soft cloth. Such a fruit is discarded and is the first to be consumed.

And pears with a broken stem and any damage are also discarded. Damage includes not only mechanical damage, but also those that were made by insects or pests. This also includes diseased fruits.

It is advisable to reject the crop even during harvest. The removed fruits are wrapped in tissue paper and then distributed in storage boxes. Thus, providing them with a decrease in injuries. In fruitful years, it is difficult to do it right away. Therefore, culling must be done after harvest. Rejected fruits are laid separately. They go into use ahead.

First, you need to chill the entire harvested crop.Harvested most often in warm weather. Pears must not be chilled immediately. Since with such cooling, the fruits become covered with condensation and begin to rot. To avoid this, cool gradually, but try to do it as quickly as possible. In order not to shorten the shelf life. The fruits should be laid out in boxes in one or two layers. Then you need to lower the temperature slightly by about five degrees. After 8-10 hours, the temperature is again lowered by five degrees. This is done until it equals the storage temperature. Pears must not be moved from place to place outside the boxes.

Where is the best place to store the harvested crop

For the safe preservation of the crop, it is necessary to correctly collect it, in accordance with all the recommendations, to make a thorough rejection. And you also need to think in advance about the storage location for the future harvest. Preparation of storage rooms also need preparation for laying the future harvest.

Pears are very demanding on the rules of collection and storage. In order for the crop to be preserved as long as possible, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations for collection and storage. The harvested crop can be stored at home.

For storage in the refrigerator, it is better to arrange pears in bags, having previously discarded them. Tied bags are stacked in separate compartments. It is possible to store the fruits in sterilized glass jars, with the lids rolled up. In this way, it is possible to store the crop for several weeks.

The ideal temperature for storing pears is from 0 to - 4 degrees. It is possible, if desired, to organize on the balcony. A wooden container is best suited for storage. Wrapping each pear with paper will help maintain the right moisture. The fruits are laid with the stalk upwards so that they do not touch other fruits.

If you put an open container of water next to the boxes, it will increase the humidity. The desired temperature regime is regulated by opening the balcony door. If a depression occurs, then the fruit must be additionally covered. Can also be stored in large bags. With such storage, it is imperative to adjust the temperature regime so that there is no condensation.

The best conditions for storing pears can be created in the cellar. For this, important conditions must be observed and maintained:
-temperature mode;
-air humidity:
-Artificial lighting;
-the possibility of airing.

Before harvesting, it is necessary to prepare the premises. It must be rinsed well. Carry out whitewashing with a solution of copper sulfate. Next, fumigate the storage area with sulfuric gas. Ventilate after three days. Pears should be placed in wooden boxes in such a way that the fruits do not touch each other, sprinkling them with fine shavings. The fruit should be inspected regularly.

What is needed to ripen plucked pears?

For quick ripening, the fruits are transferred to a warm room, laying them out in such a way that they do not come into contact with each other. The process will be speeded up. If the pears are exposed to sunlight. Winter varieties are fast if the conditions are right.

What is best for long-term storage?

The best varieties, which are characterized by good shelf life, are cultivated mainly in the southern regions. But some varieties grow in the central and northwestern regions of Russia. They have good frost resistance. These varieties include "Belarusian late"," Bera Winter Michurina ","Hera"," Long-awaited ","Yakovlevskaya". All these varieties are stored for a long time.

• The variety "Belorusskaya pozdnyaya" reaches a fruit weight of 100-120 grams. Fruits with good white flesh. With an oily sweet and sour taste. But this variety has an average yield.
• The Bera Zimnyaya Michurina variety is the oldest variety that has been on the register since 1947.This is a versatile winter variety.
• "Hera", bred by the scientific center. Michurin. Fruit weight up to 175 grams, green with gray dots. Fragrant, sweet and sour taste, with good yield.
• Variety "Long-awaited" for universal use. It has proven itself very well, has a sweet and sour taste and tender juicy pulp. Fruit weight up to 70 grams.
• "Yakovlevskaya" is a winter variety, resistant to scab and septoria. Fruits weighing 125 grams, green with tender juicy pulp.

You can store pears of late ripening varieties not only until the New Year, but also until spring. To do this, you must carefully follow all the recommendations, then there will be no problems with storing pears.