Although pears are one of the world's oldest cultivated and beloved fruits, American heirloom pears are extremely rare today. This may be because fireblight was such a frustrating problem with pear culture for so long. Today’s pears are generally bred to be resistant to fire blight. The different varieties we have chosen range from big to small in size, and pale yellow to deep brownish yellow in color. Their tastes and textures vary from sweet to spicy and gritty to smooth. The Heirloom Orchardist just can’t dismiss the pear. Pear cuttings were frequently brought to the American colonies from Europe. Pioneers used the fruit for eating and baking, the wood was occasionally used for making furniture, and the leaves were used to produce a yellow dye.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
 Bartlett |
Bartlett: This is the yellow Bartlett, called such because the skin turns yellow when ripe, sweet and ready to eat. Bartlett pears are ripe when they give off a sweet aroma. The Bartlett is most appropriate for the home orchard, because it bruises easily when ripe (a bad trait for commercial growers). Origin: The Bartlett Pear has a checkered history. It was developed in England during the 17th century by John Stair. Mr. Stair sold some of his pear cuttings to a horticulturist named Williams, who continued developing the Stair variety and renamed it Williams. Then, Enoch Bartlett of Massachusetts renamed it the Bartlett, which is the name it continues to be known as in the US today.
___________________________________________________
 Blakes Pride |
Blake’s Pride: This pear’s unique, rich, aromatic taste comes from a blend of sugars and acids. An excellent eating pear that’s also resistant to fire blight. Origin: Developed by Richard Bell with the ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia.
___________________________________________________
 Comice |
Comice: A round-ish pear with similar flavor and texture as the Bartlett (although to some, Comice is better). Excellent in fresh salads, for desserts, or with a mild soft or hard cheese. This pear tastes best after storing for about a month at room temperature.
___________________________________________________
 D Anjou |
D'Anjou: The Heirloom Orchardist would have called this pear the Beurré d' Anjou. When ripe the skin is mostly yellow and the fruit is sweet with a mild flavor. It’s excellent baked, poached, included in salads and eaten fresh. Origin: Anjou pears are thought to have originated in France, in the vicinity of Angers. The variety was introduced to England early in the 19th century, and then introduced to America in about 1842.
___________________________________________________
 Gourmet Dwarf |
Gourmet Dwarf Pear: This pear is very round, medium in size, greenish yellow to yellow. The flesh is juicy and sweet with a crisp texture. The skin can be thick but never mind…it’s tender. A really good dessert pear (reminds us of an Asian pear). Origin: Developed by South Dakota State University. Note: It is pollen-sterile, so it cannot be used to pollinate a second pear tree.
___________________________________________________
 Potomac Pear |
Potomac: It is a small, sweet pear with fine, buttery flesh. The flavor is found to be similar to Anjou (one of its parents; the other was Moonglow). The skin is light green and glossy and the flesh is moderately fine. It has a great reputation as being the highest quality fireblight resistant variety available – quite a trait! Tends to ripen two weeks after Bartlett. Origin: Potomac was released by the US Dept. of Agriculture in 1993.
___________________________________________________
 Warren Pear |
Warren Pear: This is an excellent dessert quality pear with a smooth, buttery texture and small to medium size. The fruit is green-yellow, with a red blush. It’s highly resistant to fireblight, and it’s self-fruitful. Great for the home orchard. Origin: A seedling tree discovered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by T. O. Warren.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Back to The Heirloom Orchardist.
