Pears

Organic Starkrimson Pear

The Starkrimson pear has a beautiful full red color and a very juicy, sweet and floral flavor. Make a display of these in a fruit bowl; they are as beautiful as fresh cut flowers. But when you eat them you might want to lean over the kitchen sink because they are so juicy and sweet!! Their sweet floral flavor also compliments strong cheeses. Together with goat cheese or blue cheese they really dress up a salad.

This variety was discovered in an orchard of Clapp’s favorite pears in the 1950’s and has been propagated by the Stark brother’s nursery. That is why it is sometimes spelled as Stark Crimson. It is the first pear to harvest in the Northwest and it heralds the beginning of the pear harvest.

Organic Red Bartlett Pear

Like the green Bartlett pear, red Bartlett pears are large, somewhat squatty pears with a thin skin. However, when fully ripened this yellow fruit turns a bright red color.

Red Bartlett’s are available August through January domestically. The color makes them a great addition to desserts like tarts, cobblers, and sorbets. Like all pears, red Bartlett’s are a low fat, low calorie food that are high in fiber, Potassium, and a good source of Vitamin C.

Organic Bartlett Pear

Pears have been found in the wild since the time of Homer who mentioned them as, “a gift of the gods” in the Odyssey. Early Americans brought pear trees with them when they colonized and they slowly made their way into the hearts, and orchards of all Americans. The most popular for eating and canning is the Bartlett.

Bartlett pears ripen from August through January domestically, and midsummer from South America and New Zealand. They are large, somewhat squatty shaped with a thin smooth skin that ripens to an even green. Like all pears, they ripen best at home when left at room temperature but, can quickly go from ripe to over ripe. Like all pears, Bartlett’s are a great paring for cheese and wine however, they are most common for cooking in desserts like tarts and canning.

Organic Comice Pear

Comice pears are one of the largest and sweetest pear varieties earning them the nickname, “Queen of the Pears”. They have a very delicate skin and you will often see them individually wrapped in paper for protection. Comice are stubby with a thick neck and yellow flesh with a red blush that does not show a drastic change in color when ripe. Instead check for ripeness by pressing lightly near the stem. When the pear yields slightly it is ready to eat.

Comice are a great pear to pair with wine and cheese because they have a distinct, lingering taste that can hold up on the pallet. The best cheeses to pair with Comice are rich and sharp like English blue cheeses. Rich, bold, tannic wines are the best compliment for Comice. Comice are available from October through February.

Organic Seckel Pear

The Seckel pears may be the smallest in size but, they are also the sweetest and crispest when ripe. They are an olive green and maroon color that does not change when ripened. The skin can be somewhat grainy inside giving it the affectionate nick name “sand pear”. They are available from late August through December. Seckel pear’s very sweet flavor is best complemented by a semi-sweet cheese with a mild flavor like a fontina or havarti. Similarly, they best wine accompaniments are those that are medium bodied with a floral finish like a Pinot Noir.

Organic Abate Fetel Pear

The Abate Fetel pear is named after the French monk of the same name who first cultivated them. They are the most unique shaped of the many varieties, appearing oblong or banana shaped with a yellow background, red blush, and some speckling. Like some other pear varieties, the Abate Fetel changes only slightly in color when ripe but will quickly turn brown inside when over ripe. When choosing an Abate Fetel check for a slight give with your finger near the stem. Once fully ripe, they should be eaten quickly. Abate Fetel are available from the end of August or beginning of September.

Organic Anjou Pear

Anjou pears are the second most popular pear in the US behind the Bartlett pear. They are egg or oval shaped and yellow to light green in color with some speckling. They do not change color when ripened so check ripeness often for optimal eating.

Anjou pears have a mild, slightly acidic flavor and firmer texture than other varieties so they are the best choice for cooking techniques as poaching. However, the skin may darken and toughen when cooked so they should be peeled first if you wish to avoid this. An easy poaching recipe is to peel the fruit, halve it, and simmer gently in water flavored with spices and wine. The best wine pairings are those that have a citrus nose and refreshing burst on the palate like champagne. Anjou pears are available from October through May.

Organic Red Anjou Pear

Like the traditional green Anjou pear, the Red Anjou is oval shaped with a firm texture and mild balanced flavor that is sweet but somewhat acidic. However, the Red Anjou is picked a deep maroon color and stays the same brilliant shade of red when ripened.

Red Anjou’s are best paired with mild soft cheeses and wines that are sweet with a rich body. A great looking and tasting presentation for a Red Anjou would be sliced along a mild French Brie and served with tawny port. Red Anjou’s are available from October through May.

Organic Golden Russet Bosc Pear

Bosc pears are a beautiful russetted brown color with a tall tapering neck and long stem. The color of the flesh does not change when ripe and this can be a slow variety to ripen but, you will be awarded with a creamy, dense pear that is highly aromatic and flavorful. The flavor of a Bosc can be described as somewhat sweet with a hint of spice.

Bosc pears are another great candidate for poaching because they have a thick flesh that holds shape well under heat and a tall elegant stature. The best poaching and pairing wine for a Bosc would be a bold wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon. The best cheeses paired with a Bosc are a well aged Northwest cheddar or Parmesean Reggiano. For something special try peeling the pear, and stuffing it before poaching. Bosc pears are available from September through April.

Organic Packham Pear

The Packham pear is traditionally a late season pear imported from South America or New Zealand. They are available for a short time from March to July. A Packham pear is similar in shape, size, and flavor to an Anjou but different in appearance. The Packham has a bumpy green skin that gets a bright yellow undertone when ripe. Like an Anjou, the Packham is very juicy and sweet and is best for eating out of hand.

Organic Asian Pears

Asian pears, originating in Japan, are now grown in America in over 20 different varieties. All Asian pears are known for their sweet pear flavor with a slightly grainy crunch similar to an apple. Asian Pears can be categorized into three types; round with green to yellow skin, rounds with bronze colored skin and pear shaped with green or russet skin.

Organic Asian Hosui Pear

The Hosui is one of the earliest of the Asian pears, appearing as early as September. It is large in size and pear shaped with a brown russet color. It is sweet, juicy, and has a long storage period of up to 6 weeks.

Organic Asian Yoinashi Pear

The Yoinashi pear has the highest sugar content of any Asian pear and is extremely juicy and crunchy. The taste of a Yoinashi has been compared to butterscotch. They are also one of the largest Asian pears, round in size with russetted skin.

Organic Asian Kosui Pear

The Kosui has very tender flavorful flesh, is small with a slightly flatter round appearance, and is golden or bronze in color. Like the Hosui, it typically ripens in mid- September.

Organic 20th Century Asian pear

The 20th Century or Nijisseki pear is considered to be the best flavored and most popular of the Asian pears worldwide. It is a yellow, clear skinned apple shaped pear. It ripens as early as August and stores incredibly well, up to 5 months.

Organic Asian Olympic Pear

The Olympic pear may be called that due to its sheer size. A single piece of fruit can weigh in at a whopping 16 oz. They are the last Asian pears to ripen with an appearance beginning in October. These are round, brown russetted pears with a flavor that can be described as earthy and less sweet than other Asian varieties.