The D'Anjou pear, sometimes referred to as the Beurré d'Anjou or simply Anjou, is a short-necked cultivar of
European pear. The variety was originally named 'Nec Plus Meuris' in Europe and the name 'Anjou' or 'd'Anjou' was erroneously applied to the variety when introduced to America and England. It is thought to have originated in the mid-19th century, in
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
or
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
Cultivars
The two cultivars that comprise d'Anjou pears are the 'Green Anjou' pear and the 'Red Anjou' pear. The 'Green Anjou' pear has a pale green skin that does not change color as the pear ripens, unlike most other cultivars of green pears, which turn yellow as they ripen. The 'Red Anjou' pear originated as naturally occurring
bud sport found on 'Green Anjou' trees. 'Red Anjou' pears are very similar to the original Anjou other than color.
The d'Anjou is considered a medium to large pear, typically around 270–285 grams, 85 mm in height, and 80 mm in diameter. It has a wide, globular base, short stem, and thin skin with many notable
lenticel
A lenticel is a porous tissue consisting of cells with large intercellular spaces in the periderm of the secondarily thickened organs and the Bark (botany), bark of woody stems and roots of gymnosperms and dicotyledonous flowering plants. It func ...
s.
Suggestions
Because this pear does not show ripeness by color, a 2015
Mercury News article recommends testing the top near the stem with a slight press of the thumb until it gives slightly. This is because the pear ripens from the inside out and the top is closest to the inside.
It typically takes 3 to 5 days after purchase for the pear to ripen whereupon it may be refrigerated to slow (but not stop) the ripening, giving the consumer a couple more days to eat it. It can be used for baking or sliced in salads,
[ and they are also good for poaching, roasting, grilling, or eating fresh.
]
U.S. production
In the United States, the variety was recommended for general cultivation by the American Pomological Congress in 1852, and represented 34% of reported U.S. pear production, with Oregon the leading state.[U.S. Department of Agriculture. (September 2004.]
"''Pyrus'' Crop Germplasm Committee: Report and genetic vulnerability statement, September 2004"
. (Website.) Germ Resources Information Network (GRIN), page 5. Retrieved on 2007-10-02.
Notes
References
'Anjou' USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) Online Database National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland
External links
USA Pears - Anjou Pear Profile
{{Pyrus
Pear cultivars