White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Ripe pears gently poached in a delicate white tea infusion with fresh ginger, served with a light syrup. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers Bosc pears, white tea leaves, water into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 1 tbsp white tea leaves, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp sliced ginger, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and steep for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 halved and cored Bosc pears to the syrup. Simmer gently for 20 minutes, turning pears occasionally, until tender but still holding shape.
  3. Step 3: Remove pears with a slotted spoon and let cool in the syrup. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids. Return syrup to the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle 1 tbsp lemon juice over pears before serving. Serve warm with 2 tbsp reduced syrup.

Frequently asked questions

How long does White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with White Tea-Poached Pears with Ginger Syrup?

French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes