In Australia, fresh pears are in season from February to June, with the sweetest and juiciest fruit at its best between March and May.
Choose pears with smooth, unblemished skin that feel firm. Gently press near the stem—if the neck yields slightly, the pear is ripe and ready to eat. Avoid fruit with bruises, soft spots, or wrinkled skin.
Ancient Greek poet Homer called pears a "gift of the gods" in The Odyssey. Unlike most fruits, pears ripen best after they're picked, developing a sweeter flavour and buttery texture as they mature.