« Concorde »

A new winter pear variety, combining the best of both sides of its family tree, the Concorde has the elongated shape and crisp texture of the Conference and the mellow sweetness and abundant juice of the Comice. Bred in the 1970s in East Malling, England, its popularity has grown quickly. It is well suited for home gardeners, since unlike other pear varieties it is self-pollinating. It ripens in September and keeps well in storage.

The Concorde has large, elongated yellow-green fruit with very little russeting. As it ripens, the fruit softens, the flavor mellows and the skin becomes more golden in color. The dense, smooth flesh makes the Concorde ideal as a cooking pear, with the ability to hold shape and flavor in baking, poaching, jams and preserves. It is also excellent eaten fresh, and is wonderful for salads and slicing because the flesh resists browning (oxidation) when cut.