Broadback writes
Phil L wrote:
Broadback wrote:
Well how do I tell? There are not many of some varieties, so I don't
want to pick and try if I can avoid it, as if it is not ripe that is a
waste.
I picked some unripe apples today and stewed them with some overripe
rhubarb, then ate them with some tinned custard...I wanted apple &
rhubarb crumble but it wasn't to be....my suggestion therefore is to
pick what you want, when you want to eat it, you may have a glut of
them all at once in a few weeks time and if they''re still a bit
sharp, they can be cooked with a little sugar.
Thanks for your help folk, I now know (and have picked) my Scotch
Dumpling whereas the others are not yet ripe. Can I assume that
testing for pear ripeness is the same?

No, I don't think so. They seem to stay impossible to pick easily, then
suddenly fall off while at peak of perfection, and turn to mush within
days. I've never got to grips with pears.
--
Kay