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["Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>]

I have S. domestica here.  The fresh fruit is crisp, juicy, and incredibly astringent.  However, even a good bump or a small mark on the fruit apparently releases enzymes that blet the fruit in a hurry as it will become edible in just a few hours.  After a day or two it takes on a flavor that makes me think of brandy.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at http://www.bunchgrapes.com  Winner of the Garden Writers Association "Best Talent in Writing" award for 2003. 
For even more grape lessons, go to  http://www.grapeschool.com
For growing supplies and more;  http://www.grapegrowersolutions.com

On Sep 21, 2007, at 8:38 AM, h black wrote:

There are some large specimens at the Seattle Botanical Gardens.  The fruit is quite beautiful.  Like a head of elderberries, maybe 10-15 fruits size of a cherry, some shaped like little pears with blush on the cheek, some like little apples.  They're not bad tasting, but not as good as a pear.  Interesting strong flavor, pear-like texture.  Tree must be 40 ft.  But we've had trouble growing them in the heat of middle TN.  Fungus disease and apple borers down on the trunk.   Hector Black zone 6 middle tn.