Originally published in September ; updated September .
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Another pear harvest has come to a close for our Rushing Rivers' pear growers, and now there are numerous pear varieties making their way to your grocery store. Most of us are familiar with two pears ' Bartlett and d'Anjou ' because these varieties have the highest volume, so you'll see them most often. However, just like apples, there are many flavors of pears offering their own eating experience and usage. Read below for more on the difference in pear varieties.
Bartlett: This iconic bell-shaped pear is the main variety you'll find in stores from August through January. It differs from the winter d'Anjou variety by changing color as it ripens. Bartlett's are best enjoyed when they're yellow and the skin gives slightly when pressure is applied near the neck end. Bartlett pears are very popular for snacking, and the main variety used for canning.
D'Anjou: This winter pear variety is egg-shaped and green in color. We call it a 'winter' pear because it replaces summer varieties like Bartlett and Starkrimson in supermarkets each winter, and also because it harvests after all the summer varieties are complete (in October). D'Anjou has a firmer texture than Bartlett and won't change color as it ripens (so you have to check the neck). Once it's ripe and ready, it's hard to beat the juicy, sweet and citrus-like flavor of a d'Anjou. I prefer this pear as a fresh snack, but it's also great for roasting or baking as it can withstand high temperatures.
Red Pears: There are three pear varieties that make up this group, including: Starkrimson, Red Bartlett, and Red d'Anjou. At Stemilt, we primarily grow Starkrimson and Red d'Anjou. The main difference between these pears and the leading varieties (Bartlett and d'Anjou) is that they're red in color! These pears are a great choice for cheese boards, or any fresh snack for that matter.
Bosc: You'll recognize Bosc as the bronze-colored pear with an elongated neck. It differs from other pear varieties not only by its color but also by its sweet and spicy flavor. You'll recognize notes of all your favorite fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) in this pear, making it a great choice for poaching or baking.
Concorde: Concorde is a specialty pear that looks similar to other green pear varieties, but tastes quite unique. It is very sweet with a juicy flesh and vanilla-like flavor. It's a great pear for all purposes, but its dessert-like flavor makes it a favorite of mine to eat all on its own.
Other pear varieties:
Seckel: We call Seckel the sugar pear because it is incredibly sweet! It's also much smaller than most pears and has a short season from September to December. You won't find Seckel pears often, but when you do, definitely pick one up and enjoy it for a sweet snack. Because of its size, you won't want to cook or bake with them.
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Comice: Comice is a red-over-green pear with a short and round shape. It has very soft and has a creamy flesh and is quite the sweet treat. It's another specialty pear you won't find easily at your store, but if you love juicy fruits, than Comice is the best one for you!
Forelle: Forelle means trout in German and this pear gets that name because it has the same coloring as a Rainbow trout! Like Seckel and Comice, Forelle is a smaller-sized pear. Its flesh is more dense and coarse than other pear varieties and it has a sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavor that is quite unique. The flavor of Forelle is enhanced when you pair it with a sharp cheese.
Check out this video to learn more about some of the pear varieties we have at Stemilt and their best attributes!
Now that you know the difference in pear varieties we offer at Stemilt, you can start enjoying each one! I'd love to hear from you in the comments about your favorite pear variety, and why it comes out on top for you!
With a silhouette identical to Green Anjous, Red Anjous (pronounced ON-ju) are just as easy to identify by their shape. Although there are other red varieties of pears available, such as Red Bartlett, Red Anjous are recognizable for their egg-shaped appearance; having a large spherical lower potion that begins a gradual and even taper above the mid-point to a smaller, rounded top. The color of Red Anjous varies from pear to pear, however, they are generally dark maroon in color, sometimes with light vertical streaks of color that were naturally created by the sun while the pear was still on the tree. Just like Starkrimson and Red Bartlett, Red Anjou pears are often simply labeled as Red Pears in the grocery store.
The popularity of Red Anjous has brought a great deal of attention for this variety. Planting of Red Anjou pear trees in the Pacific Northwest has been on the increase, and they can now be found in markets from late September or early October through the summer months.
Red Anjous show only slight change in color as they ripen, which is another characteristic shared with their Green Anjou counterparts. The best indication of ripeness for any pear is the thumb test: gentle thumb pressure near the stem will yield slightly when the pear is ripe.
Red Anjous, like all pears, ripen when held at room temperature. Depending on their level of ripeness when purchased, it may take several days before they are ready to eat. The results, however, are well worth the wait. Red Anjous develop a mild, sweet flavor with very smooth texture and abundant juices when ripe.
Although they share most characteristics with Green Anjous, Red Anjous do possess one very distinctive appeal - their color. Displayed in a fruit bowl or basket on a counter or as a table centerpiece, their color sets a brilliant tone. Consider a full display of Red Anjous for Valentines Day. During the winter holidays, combine Red and Green Anjous to create a display with the appropriate colors of the season.
Because their red color is only skin deep, you'll notice no difference in cooking with Red Anjous than using Green Anjous if the recipe calls for peeling the pears. However, in a recipe calling for fresh pears (if leaving the skin on) the red color can add striking contrast and eye appeal. Consider a garden green salad tossed with slices of Red Anjou pears!
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