INDUSTRY · The California Bartlett pear is the nation's leading pear variety. · California as a whole produces 60% of the nation's total Bartlett pear crop. · To achieve a better eating product, California Bartletts are picked to a higher maturity standard, which exceeds the U.S. No. 1 requirement. · Every shipment of fresh California Bartletts must meet the California Pear Advisory Board's quality standards. Grade and size regulations ensure a consistent, uniform pack. · The California Pear Advisory Board represents approximately 250 growers with more than 16,000 acres in production. SEASON · California Bartlett pears are available July through November. · The California Bartlett pear growing regions are divided into early and late districts based upon the timing of the harvest. » Early District (also called "River Bartletts") - Orchards are found along the banks of the Sacramento River Delta (in both Sacramento and San Joaquin counties) stretching north to the Upper Sacramento Valley. Approximate harvest period: July 7-31. » Late District (also called "Mountain Bartletts") - Harvest commences in Mendocino county and then in Lake and El Dorado Counties. Approximate harvest period: August 1-30. PRODUCTION · Rich soil, plenty of water, warm days, and cool nights are the best conditions for Bartlett pear growth. · California Bartlett pear trees are in production for an average of 50 to 75 years, although some trees still produce after 100 years. · In winter, California Bartlett pear trees are pruned and replacement trees are planted. · It takes five to seven years for a Bartlett pear tree to produce fruit. · Bartlett pear trees are unique since they are self-pollinating. They do not require bees for this process. · Bartlett pears do not ripen properly on the tree, so growers pick the fruit when it is mature but green. · Bartlett pears are harvested by hand, placed in bins, and transported to a packing house where they are graded for quality, sorted by size, and packed for the fresh market or sent to a processing facility. Next, Bartlett pears are cooled to slow down the ripening process. To initiate the ripening process, Bartlett pears need to be brought to room temperature (see Ripening below for more details.) CROP · California Bartletts generally have very high sugar levels, making it the sweetest, juiciest pear around! · Growers anticipate that the 2002 harvest will provide consumers with an abundance of fruit that meets the exceptional quality they demand. VARIETIES · The Bartlett pear, scientifically known as Pyrus communis, is a member of the rose family. · Growers anticipate that the 2002 harvest will provide consumers with an abundance of fruit that meets the exceptional quality they demand. · Other California varieties include Bosc, Seckel, Comice, and red pears. Each has its own distinct shape, color and flavor. · The red sensation variety was discovered as a "bud sport" on a Bartlett tree. A bud sport is a tree limb that naturally transforms and develops a different fruit variety from that of the original. CROP VALUE · California ranks number one in Bartlett pear production, generating 60 percent of the nations Bartlett crop. · California produces 32 percent of all pears grown in the United States, ranking number two in the nation. · California produces over 300,000 tons each year and adds $91,594 to its economy. · California exports approximately 20 percent of its fresh crop. Canada and Mexico receive over 95 percent of California's exports. RIPENING · Always ripen California Bartlett pears in a bowl at room temperature. Once they have reached desired ripeness, place them in the refrigerator to slow further ripening. » Green and firm pears will take four to six days to ripen at room temperature (avoid refrigeration). » Pears turning from green to yellow and losing their firmness are ready to eat in two to three days (unless you prefer eating firm, crunchy pears). » When pears are golden yellow, they are at their ripest, juiciest, most flavorful stage. · California Bartletts that are ripe need to be handled gently to avoid bruising. · Depending on the stage of ripeness, California Bartletts can hold in the refrigerator for almost a week. PREPARATION · To help cut or sliced California Bartlett pears retain their color, dip them into a mixture of 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 cup water. · A ripe but firm California Bartlett is perfect for poaching or baking. · An overripe California Bartlett makes a great base for a blended drink. · To remove the skin from a Bartlett, hold the pear firmly in one hand and using a sharp paring knife, carefully remove the thin outer layer of skin. You may use a vegetable peeler but make sure the blade is very sharp. NUTRITION · California Bartlett pears are an excellent source of dietary fiber (4 grams). They contain no cholesterol or sodium and are virtually fat free (1 gram). · A California Bartlett has only 100 calories and provides a healthful source of vitamin C and potassium.