Keiffer pears!! Found an abandoned tree with fruit falling off. I’m pretty sure they are keiffer because we have the same pears in our yard. Tell me all your secrets! How can I ripen them? Can I use them to make perry?
Would love to hear any experiences.
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Kdegs picked a peck of pickled Kieffer pear slices.
A peck of pickled Kieffer pear slices Kdegs picked.
If Kdegs picked a peck of pickled Kieffer pear slices,
Where’s the peck of pickled Kieffer pear slices Kdegs picked?
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@snowflake @Fusion_power
Ha! Great idea for a tongue twister at the next potluck!
Do they get riper than than this? Wondering if I can leave them out on the counter or if they need cold storage. I would probably need to get another fridge.
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If Kieffer, they would turn more yellow on the counter or in the fridge and maybe get a bit more flavor. I’m not sure if I’ve had Kieffer fall off quite so green before unless it was a storm. You could try some different things and see if you can get some taste out of them.
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@snowflake
I live in NC so it could be due to that? A lot of fruit is ripening earlier here. I did the iodine test and they were ready to go. Hopefully it wasn’t too soon!
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It’s impossible to goof up a kieffer as they aren’t that good to start with. 
But just try some different things and see what you like. I think pear butter is another thing people do?
They have been used by people for many years due to their hardy nature.
https://happymuncher.com/kieffer-pear-recipes/
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Not sure if things have changed in the past 4 years… but has been discussed before.
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Keep them in a 5 gal bucket in a cool dark place… like basement… and just check on them weekly.
Eventually you will see them start to yellow up and soften a little.
Once they soften and yellow just a little… they get sweeter and are good for fresh eating… but delicious in pear preserves.
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That is good advice. “good” might be overselling it, but they beat the alternative of no pears.
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I made pie following apple pie recipe with freshly picked, crisp "Kieffer"s. Peter Kieffer recommended ripening them on a bed of straw in a cool, dark, fruit store to bring out higher flavor.
The old “Kieffer” trees I picked from had fruit much later and more of a rhombus shape.
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Thanks!! I will try that!
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Thanks for sharing this. Usually I search the topics before I post. Guess I got too excited 
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May I ask what an iodine test is and how might it help determine ripeness?
It’s super interesting, I admittedly don’t know a ton about it but found out about it on another online community of fruit growers. Basically iodine turns the starch in fruits black. Sugar does not change color and ripeness can be determined this way. Someone online had written that pears can be picked at around 60% since they continue to ripen off the tree.
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Very neat, thanks for sharing !
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When I had a full size Kieffer pear tree in my yard at my old address. We made pear butter with the vast majority of the Kieffer pears. I planted a Kieffer pear tree planted at my new address a few years ago. I have a lot of Kieffer pears on it this year. So pear butter is what I have planned for the majority them. A Kieffer pear tree always produces a lot of mostly flawless pears in this area.
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Kieffer pears should be in everyones yard. I call them potato pears because to me they are a staple like a potato. They are food in your belly every year. Cinnamon and sugar cover a multitude of sins in the pear world. Some years they are sweet enough you dont need to add anything. A rainy year like this one they will be more blan typically. @Lucky_P has rightly said many times they are one of his favorites and the favorites of many other people as well. Sometimes i get bored with sugary pears and am in the mood for a fresh kieffer.
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Do these pears get soft or do you eat them crunchy? I planted one last year and got 2 fruits this year which the animals stole…
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The original Kieffer in my area will take some fireblight hits and keeps on ticking. I see some of the older trees that outlive some of the rural houses.
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