FoodFood InformationFruitDeciduousPears
Comice pears, which made their debut in France around 1850, aren't theprettiest variety, but beneath their drab exterior lies the most juicy andpossibly the most flavorful pear in the world. This delicately flavoredfruit is prized by gourmets and served in Europe's most posh haute cuisinerestaurants as a dessert pear. The largest and the best Comice are skimmedoff and sold in costly gift packages via mail order.
The Comice is squat and chubby and has a dull, usually mottled, light greenskin. It occasionally sports a red cheek. Because it is a most difficultvariety to grow without skin blemishes, a fairly large percentage of theannual crop doesn't meet USDA standards for US #1. However, the skin discoloration'sand blemishes do not mar the flavor.
The Comice arrive in late October and are usually sold out by Christmas.
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