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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.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
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 | Listen |
| Food Fable: Pears | Listen |
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.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-295-3173 |
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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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 24 days ago, 9/25/20 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears from Penryn Orchards 
Sprouts Farmers Market
Near Tempe, Arizona, United StatesAbout 274 days ago, 1/19/20 
Whole Foods Market
Near Denver, Colorado, United StatesAbout 318 days ago, 12/06/19 
Jumbo Foodmarkt
Jumbo Food Market Amsterdam
Near Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NetherlandsAbout 331 days ago, 11/23/19 Sharer's comments : It's pear season in Holland 
Noordermarkt
Noordermarkt Amsterdam
Near Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NetherlandsAbout 332 days ago, 11/23/19 Sharer's comments : Noordermarkt Saturday morning Amsterdam 
La Quinta farmers market
Perris Farm
Near La Quinta, California, United StatesApple Valley CA 92307 760-247-9353 About 337 days ago, 11/17/19 
Borough Market
Chegworth Valley
Near London, England, United KingdomChegworth Valley , Waterlane Farms Chegworth, ME 1DE Maidstate, Kent 0-162-205-9252 https://www.chegworthvalley.com About 346 days ago, 11/09/19 Sharer's comments : Beautiful comice pears in season atChegworth Valley 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 377 days ago, 10/08/19 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears in the Specialty Produce Farmers Market Showroom #specialtyproduceapp 
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
K&J Orchards
Near San Francisco, California, United StatesSolano County , CA About 387 days ago, 9/28/19 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Jeff Rieger
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1380 Taylor Road Penyrn CA 95663 916-769-5462 About 397 days ago, 9/18/19 Sharer's comments : Queen of the Fair Peach! Penryn Orchard Specialties 
Growers Direct
Growers Direct
Near Costa Mesa, California, United States3779, 101 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa CA 92627 949-631-7880 About 484 days ago, 6/23/19 
Beverly Hills Market & Deli
Beverly Hills Market & Deli
Near Beverly Hills, California, United States303 N Cresent Drive Beverly Hills CA 90210 310-657-3663 About 484 days ago, 6/23/19 
Irvine Ranch Market
Irvine Ranch Market
Near Irvine-Mesa, California, United States2651 Irvine Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92627 949-631-4404 About 486 days ago, 6/21/19 Sharer's comments : Extra large 
Crown Valley Marketplace (Persian Market)
Crown Valley Market
Near Ladera Ranch, California, United States2771 Center Dr. Mission Viejo CA 92692 949-340-1010 About 486 days ago, 6/21/19 Pike Place Market Near Seattle, Washington, United States About 589 days ago, 3/10/19 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears spotted at Pike Place Market. 
Brentwood Farmers' Market
Ha's Apple Farm
Near Sawtelle, California, United StatesTehachapi, Kern County About 659 days ago, 12/30/18 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears spotted at Brentwood Farmers' Market. 
Broadway Sunday Farmer's Market
Jones Creek Farms
Near Seattle, Washington, United States32260 Bureese Rd, Sedro Wolley 98284 About 694 days ago, 11/25/18 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears spotted at Broadway Sunday Farmer's Market. A very smooth French dessert pear - and oh, so sweet! First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 707 days ago, 11/12/18 Sharer's comments : Comice Pears spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. |
