North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Bell, Richard" <rbell@afrs.ars.usda.gov>]

The fruit labelled 'Bartlett' in the stores is 'Bartlett'.  I do not know of
any modern variety which is truly similar to 'Bartlett', or which could be
passed off as 'Bartlett'.  Some variation in quality (taste, aroma, texture)
and appearance occurs due to environmental conditions which differ among
growing region, yearly climatic variation.  Additional variation in quality
could be due to maturity when harvested, and the length and type of storage.
The fruit in the stores now is probably going to be better quality, and with
more consistent ripening, than that coming out of CA storage in 3 months.
Fruit from the Sacramento River delta in California are grown without a
pollinator variety, and set parthencarpically.  The shape is different from
those grown in Washington state.  Take a look at the UPC sticker, which
sometimes identifies where the fruit comes from.  There also may be some
variation among clones of Bartlett due to mutations, but these are not well
documented or easily recognized.   

Richard Bell      

> ----------
> From:         Claude Jolicoeur[SMTP:cjoli@gmc.ulaval.ca]
> Reply To:     nafex@egroups.com
> Sent:         Thursday, November 16, 2000 4:53 PM
> To:   nafex@egroups.com
> Subject:      Re: [nafex] Big 4 Commercial Pears
> 
> To me, a perfectly ripened Bartlett is one of the greatest treats I can
> think of. However, I suspect that we don't always get true Bartletts
> (actually, its true name is Bon Chrétien Williams) but often what is
> called
> Bartlett in the store is actually a modern variety bred te be similar to
> Bartlett.
> 
> In second, equally ranked, I like Bosc and the portuguese Rocha.
> Personnally, I rather dislike Anjou.
> 
> Claude
> 
> A 14:53 00.11.16 -0600, vous avez écrit :
> >After researching heirloom pears for several weeks and interviewing 4
> >growers of the same, I have a burning question that you experts may be
> able
> >to answer.  Why are the big 4 commercial pear varieties--Bartlett, Bosc,
> >Anjou and Comice-- a couple of centuries old?  One would think that
> hybrids
> >with their improved disease resistance, etc. would have replaced these
> >heirloom varieties.  Is it taste?  Is it lack of imagination?  Or what?
> >Please venture forth with your opinions.
> >Doreen Howard
> >In Wisconsin, where it's snowing and snowing.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 

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