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Comice Pears
Inventory, 25 lbs : 0
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Comice pears range from small to large in size and have a distinctly squat shape with a large bulbous bottom and a short, well-defined neck connecting to a thick brown-green stem. The yellow-green skin is smooth with prominent lenticels or pores and may have red blushing on one side of the fruit where the sun’s rays were most direct. The skin is soft, very fragile, and bruises easily. The flesh is ivory to off-white and is silky, creamy, moist, and fine-grained. When ripe, Comice pears have buttery and very juicy texture, are highly aromatic and have an exceptionally sweet, mellow, and earthy flavor.
Comice pears are available in the late summer through early spring.
Comice pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, grow on semi-dwarf, compact trees that are members of the Rosaceae family along with apricots, peaches, and apples. Also known as the Doyenné Du Comice, Comice pears are a French variety that is known as one of the sweetest and juiciest of all of the European varieties favored for fresh eating. The majority of Comice pears are green, but there were some newer varieties developed in the 1960s that are a vibrant red. Comice pear trees are also desired for home gardening and private orchards, as the tree is one of the longest living varieties surviving up to seventy-five years. It is drought tolerant, prolific, and produces many succulent, flavorful fruits during the holiday season.
Comice pears are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
Comice pears are best suited for raw applications as their sweet, juicy, and soft flesh do not hold up well to cooking. They can be sliced and served alone or paired with creamy cheeses for complementary flavor. They can also be sliced and added to enhance watercress or spinach salads or added to pancakes, rice pudding, soups, or made into pear butter. Comice pears can be canned or used in select baked goods such as a rugelach, which is a crescent-shaped pastry filled with seeds, chocolate, fruit, or nuts, made into a granita with green tea and honey to serve over ice cream, cooked into a compote with earl grey and vanilla, or even served in cocktails such as a spicy pear mojito. Comice pears compliment rosemary, cardamom, cinnamon, anise, curry powder, turmeric, garam masala, raisins, almond, hazelnut, pecans, chestnuts, chicken, coconut, onion, garlic, sweet potatoes, arugula, cilantro, maple syrup, camembert, gorgonzola, blue, and brie cheese. The delicate skin of the Comice pear can bruise or tear easily, but when handled properly, the pears will store well. They will keep 2-6 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. When kept at room temperature, they will keep for a couple days.
Comice pears have earned the moniker “Christmas pear” because they are in peak season during the holiday months and are favored for their color, size, flavor, and juiciness. They are often placed in fruit baskets on dining tables as edible décor or are given in holiday gift baskets to friends and family. Both the green and red varieties are used in holiday baskets and are commonly used together to create a festive color scheme.
Comice pears were first cultivated in the mid-1800s near Angers, France and were introduced to the market in 1849. The first red-colored Comice pear appeared as a “bud sport” on a tree in Oregon in 1960. Today, both colored varieties can be found at farmers markets and grocery stores and are grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and some areas of France.
Recipes that include Comice Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Comice Pears using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Pears | |
| Food Fable: Pears |
Description/Taste
Comice pears range from small to large in size and have a distinctly squat shape with a large bulbous bottom and a short, well-defined neck connecting to a thick brown-green stem. The yellow-green skin is smooth with prominent lenticels or pores and may have red blushing on one side of the fruit where the sun’s rays were most direct. The skin is soft, very fragile, and bruises easily. The flesh is ivory to off-white and is silky, creamy, moist, and fine-grained. When ripe, Comice pears have buttery and very juicy texture, are highly aromatic and have an exceptionally sweet, mellow, and earthy flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Comice pears are available in the late summer through early spring.
Current Facts
Comice pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, grow on semi-dwarf, compact trees that are members of the Rosaceae family along with apricots, peaches, and apples. Also known as the Doyenné Du Comice, Comice pears are a French variety that is known as one of the sweetest and juiciest of all of the European varieties favored for fresh eating. The majority of Comice pears are green, but there were some newer varieties developed in the 1960s that are a vibrant red. Comice pear trees are also desired for home gardening and private orchards, as the tree is one of the longest living varieties surviving up to seventy-five years. It is drought tolerant, prolific, and produces many succulent, flavorful fruits during the holiday season.
Nutritional Value
Comice pears are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
Applications
Comice pears are best suited for raw applications as their sweet, juicy, and soft flesh do not hold up well to cooking. They can be sliced and served alone or paired with creamy cheeses for complementary flavor. They can also be sliced and added to enhance watercress or spinach salads or added to pancakes, rice pudding, soups, or made into pear butter. Comice pears can be canned or used in select baked goods such as a rugelach, which is a crescent-shaped pastry filled with seeds, chocolate, fruit, or nuts, made into a granita with green tea and honey to serve over ice cream, cooked into a compote with earl grey and vanilla, or even served in cocktails such as a spicy pear mojito. Comice pears compliment rosemary, cardamom, cinnamon, anise, curry powder, turmeric, garam masala, raisins, almond, hazelnut, pecans, chestnuts, chicken, coconut, onion, garlic, sweet potatoes, arugula, cilantro, maple syrup, camembert, gorgonzola, blue, and brie cheese. The delicate skin of the Comice pear can bruise or tear easily, but when handled properly, the pears will store well. They will keep 2-6 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. When kept at room temperature, they will keep for a couple days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Comice pears have earned the moniker “Christmas pear” because they are in peak season during the holiday months and are favored for their color, size, flavor, and juiciness. They are often placed in fruit baskets on dining tables as edible décor or are given in holiday gift baskets to friends and family. Both the green and red varieties are used in holiday baskets and are commonly used together to create a festive color scheme.
Geography/History
Comice pears were first cultivated in the mid-1800s near Angers, France and were introduced to the market in 1849. The first red-colored Comice pear appeared as a “bud sport” on a tree in Oregon in 1960. Today, both colored varieties can be found at farmers markets and grocery stores and are grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and some areas of France.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Comice Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Comice Pears using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Draeger's Market
Near Los Altos, California, United StatesAbout 149 days ago, 12/31/22 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 228 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears From Penryn Orchard Specalties 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 253 days ago, 9/18/22 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties 
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Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 255 days ago, 9/16/22 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears From Penryn Orchard Specialties 
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Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 571 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties 
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Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 578 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 589 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 606 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Comice pears from Penryn Orchard Specialties 
Macknade's Fine Foods
Macknade's Fine Foods
Near Faversham, United KingdomSelling Rd, Faversham ME13 8XF, United Kingdom 441795534497 https://macknade.com About 607 days ago, 9/29/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 620 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Comice pears from penryn orchard specialties |
