| Conference pear | |
|---|---|
 Conference pear | |
| Genus | Pyrus |
| Species | Pyrus communis |
| Cultivar | 'Conference' |
| Breeder | Thomas Rivers |
| Origin | Britain |
A Conference pear is a variety of pear. It is an autumn cultivar (cultivated variety) of the European pear (Pyrus communis). The variety was developed in Britain by Thomas Francis Rivers from his Rivers Nursery in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. Its name derives from the National British Pear Conference in London in 1885, where it won first prize. [1] [2]
A medium-sized pear with an elongated bottle shape, the Conference pear is similar in appearance to the 'Bosc pear'. A table pear, it is suitable for fresh-cut processing. [3] The fruit skin is thick greenish-brown, becoming pale yellow when ripe. The flesh is white, but turns pale yellow when the pear is ripe. The texture is very fine and soft, and the flavour is sweet. [4] The brown part of the skin is called russet or russetting; it is more or less apparent depending on weather conditions.
The Conference pear adapts to a variety of conditions, and is widely grown in Europe. It thrives on land that is sunny, rich and not too chalky. In France, the production areas of this variety are mostly in the north (Loire, North Picardy) and the Alps (Savoie and the little Southern Alps). It is grown commercially in many areas of the United Kingdom. [1]
Production will be enhanced by the nearby presence of pollinating varieties such as the Williams pear. It is a particularly resistant fruit, especially against scab. The Conference pear can be eaten until January if kept cool in a refrigerator or cellar ventilated.
There is strong sales competition in Europe from neighbouring countries (in order: Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy). The flavour of Conference pears grown in Savoie, was recognized in 1996 by a PGI (a Protected Geographical Indication) in the European Union, and 2012 it was the only PGI obtained by a pear in France.
Some mutants of the Conference pear are grown commercially as club varieties. These include:
Pears are fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in late summer into mid-autumn. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus Pyrus, in the family Rosaceae, bearing the pomaceous fruit of the same name. Several species of pears are valued for their edible fruit and juices, while others are cultivated as trees.
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Roussanne is a white wine grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region in France, where it is often blended with Marsanne. It is the only other white variety, besides Marsanne, allowed in the northern Rhône appellations of Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Hermitage AOC and Saint-Joseph AOC. In the southern Rhône appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC it is one of six white grapes allowed, where it may be blended into red wines. Roussanne is also planted in various wine-growing regions of the New World, such as California, Washington, Texas, South Africa and Australia as well as European regions such as Crete, Tuscany and Spain.
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The damson or damson plum, also archaically called the "damascene", is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree. Varieties of insititia are found across Europe, but the name damson is derived from and most commonly applied to forms that are native to Great Britain. Damsons are relatively small ovoid plum-like fruit with a distinctive, somewhat astringent taste, and are widely used for culinary purposes, particularly in fruit preserves and jams.
Mirabelle plum is a cultivar group of plum trees of the genus Prunus. It is believed that the plum was cultivated from a wild fruit grown in Anatolia.
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The Beurre Bosc or Bosc is a cultivar of the European pear, originally from France or Belgium. Also known as the Kaiser, it is grown in Europe, Australia, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada, and the northwestern U.S. states of California, Washington, and Oregon.
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 or France.
Actinidia deliciosa, the fuzzy kiwifruit, is a fruiting vine native to Southern China. Other species of Actinidia are also found in China and range east to Japan and north into southern areas of Russian Far East. This species grows naturally at altitudes between 600 and 2,000 m.
The 'Rhode Island Greening' is an American apple variety and the official fruit of the state of Rhode Island.
The Williams' bon chrétien pear, commonly called the Williams pear, or the Bartlett pear in the United States and Canada, is a cultivar of the species Pyrus communis, commonly known as the European pear. The fruit has a bell shape, considered the traditional pear shape in the west, and its green skin turns yellow upon later ripening, although red-skinned derivative varieties exist. It is considered a summer pear, not as tolerant of cold as some varieties. It is often eaten raw, but holds its shape well when baked, and is a common choice for canned or other processed pear uses.
Taylor's gold is a pear variety thought to be a mutant of the pear Doyenné du Comice. It has a russeted cinnamon coloured skin and a juicy aromatic flavour. It was discovered in New Zealand in 1986.
Envy is a trademarked brand of the Scilate apple variety. Scilate is the result of a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn. It was developed in New Zealand by HortResearch, submitted for a patent in 2008 and patented in 2009. Field tests were done in the countries of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and the US. Some trialing was done in Italy with organic cultivation.
Russeting or russetting is an abnormality of fruit skin which manifests in russet-colored (brownish) patches that are rougher than healthy skin. It is a common feature in apples and pears. Russeting is typically an undesirable trait, which reduces the storage life of fruits and makes their appearance unattractive to consumers, although some cultivars, so-called russet apples, are appreciated for the feature.
The Doyenné du Comice is a French pear variety first cultivated in the 19th century.
The Concorde is a cultivar of pear originating in England. A cross of the Conference and Comice varieties, it has some of the traits of both parents.
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