Bartlett pear (Pyrus communis) grown in Washington State, U.S.A., marketed under the Rainier® brand and selected to WA Fancy grade, #70's size. One of the world's best-known European pear varieties, Bartlett is valued for its distinctive color transformation during ripening, juicy and aromatic flesh, and notably sweet flavor when it reaches optimum eating maturity.
Organoleptic Properties
Classic pyriform fruit with a rounded base and defined neck. The skin progresses from deep green to lighter green and eventually yellow as the fruit ripens, providing a particularly useful visual indication of eating maturity. White to cream-colored flesh is fine-textured, juicy and initially firm, becoming progressively tender and melting as ripening advances. Highly characteristic ripe-pear aroma with a sweet, fresh and fragrant flavor, delicate floral notes and mild balancing acidity.
Suggested Uses
Excellent for fresh consumption, fruit platters, salads, breakfast applications, yogurt, oatmeal, bowls and pairing with cheeses and nuts. Its aromatic flavor also makes it suitable for bakery, tarts, compotes, preserves, purées, sauces, desserts, juices and hotel, restaurant, catering and foodservice applications. Bartlett is also one of the traditional pear varieties used by the processing and canning industry.
Format
C-CTN carton with an approximate weight of ±20 Kg, WA Fancy grade and #70's size. The #70's designation represents a commercial size selection of approximately 70 pears per carton, subject to the specifications and net weight of the individual packing program.
Storage and Handling
For commercial storage, preferably maintain between -1 and 0 °C with approximately 90–95% relative humidity. Bartlett is a climacteric fruit and is generally harvested physiologically mature while still firm. For eating ripeness, allow the fruit to ripen at moderate room temperature until characteristic aroma, yellow coloration and softness develop. Once ripe, refrigeration helps slow further ripening and deterioration.
Quality and Selection Criteria
Whole, clean and properly formed pears with good firmness, consistent with the WA Fancy commercial grade. Skin should display the characteristic appearance of the variety and remain free from decay, deep wounds, severe dehydration and significant bruising. Eating maturity can be assessed through skin-color development and by gently checking the neck near the stem; slight yielding to pressure indicates that the flesh is approaching an optimum eating texture.
Origin
United States of America.
Bartlett is internationally known as Williams' Bon Chrétien or simply Williams, while the Bartlett name became established primarily in the United States and Canada. It is one of the most historically and commercially important European pears (Pyrus communis). Unlike varieties such as D'Anjou, whose skin may remain predominantly green as they ripen, the green Bartlett develops a distinctive yellow coloration at eating maturity, providing consumers with a particularly convenient visual ripeness indicator. Washington State includes important pear-growing districts where warm days, cool nights and mountain-sourced irrigation water provide favorable conditions for developing fruit with good firmness, sugar accumulation and commercial quality.
