Anjou Pears (On-Ju)
After the Bartlett, the Anjou is the most popular pear grown in the United States and our most admired pear at Premium Fruit. Thought to originate from France it was introduced to England in the 19th century by Thomas Rivers. The proper name of this pear is Beurré d' Anjou. In stores you may see the Anjou pears called D'Anjou, but most growers and trade personnel refer to them as Anjou's. The shape of an Anjou is easily identifiable by their egg-shape appearance. The taste of an Anjou will give you a hint of cloves and tart pineapple with juice like that of honeydew. This all purpose pear holds up well when cooked, but is enjoyed best when ripe and sliced fresh for enjoyment.

Bartlett Pears
The Bartlett Pear we know today in North America is the same variety that is called the"Williams" in many other parts of the world. Discovered originally in 1765 by a schoolmaster in England named Mr. Stair, the Bartlett was first referred to as Stair's Pear. With its tender, fine-grained flesh and mild pineapple tang, and slightly grainy texture, the Bartlett is one of our favorite summer fruits. It's the ultimate summer pear. When its specked green skin turns yellow, this juicy pear is ripe and ready to eat.

Bosc (Ball-sk)
Originating from Belgium in 1807, the Beurre Bosc, as it is referred to in its full name, is a staple of the American market because it is among the few russet-skinned pears available. The Bosc will often summon up a melting, slightly fibrous flesh and a nutty flavor with hints of vanilla and spice. Saturated with syrupy juice, the Bosc has the highest sugar content of all the commercial pears grown in the world.

Comice (CO - Mees)
Originating from France in 1849, the Doyennne' du Comice, whose short name is simply Comice, is the world's most famous admired pear. The growing characteristics of this tree make it very difficult to produce blemish free Comice because of its propensity to incur limb rub on the surface of its skin. A limb rub is caused by the pear growing in close proximity to a pear spur on a branch, which it rubs against all season, creating a mark on the pear at harvest. Limb rubs are natural occurrences and do not inhibit the taste of the pear. Comice is a sweat and creamy pear known widely as a dessert pear.

Red Anjou (Red Ann - Joe)
Originating from the United States, this pear was a naturally occurring bud sport. "Bud sports" are naturally occurring alterations that occur on trees, and they are most often unseen. Even when they are discovered, they typically don't lead to any new commercially viable fruit. Red Anjou's, however, are an exception. In fact, they are an exception that occurred twice, as the first red sport of Anjou was discovered in the early 1950's near Medford, Oregon, and a second red sport was discovered in the late 1970's in Parkdale Oregon, in the Hood River Valley. This red sport of the Anjou is firm, flavorful, and juicy. Often the color alone makes this pear a beloved decorative piece.