Pyrus communis Bergamote de Parthenay - Pear Tree

The 'Parthenay Bergamotte' Pear produces a medium to large-sized fruit with a turbinate, flattened shape and a slight projection towards the pedicel, irregular around the eye and irregular around its circumference. Its thick, round skin is dark green, turning yellow when ripe, speckled, and dotted with tawny rust around the pedicel and eye. Its creamy white flesh is moderately firm, slightly granular, not very juicy, sweet, acidic, and subtly fragrant. The harvest extends throughout October, with the fruits ripening in December and being able to be stored until the end of March. This Pear prefers a sunny exposure in well-drained, cool, deep, rich, non-limestone soil. It is a partially self-fertile variety, requiring the presence of other pear varieties nearby to improve pollination and increase the number of fruits.

The Pyrus communis (Common Pear) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It has been present in Europe since antiquity and originates from the forests of Western Asia. Pear trees appeared in France in the 16th century when several species were cultivated in the king's garden under the reign of Louis XIV. Over the centuries, a large number of cultivars have appeared. Pear cultivation is widespread in Europe.

The Bergamotte Pear of Parthenay originates from Deux-Sèvres. It was discovered by Mr Poirault, or Poireau, who was the first propagator, around 1850, in a wood near Parthenay. Jules de Liron d'Airoles (1802-1882), an Angers nurseryman, described it in 1857. It is widely grown around Loudun (Vienne), often cultivated as isolated trees. This pear tree forms a tree that can reach approximately 5 metres (16 feet) in height and 4 metres (13 feet) in width at maturity. Its habit, slightly irregular, is well suited to tall forms (standard) in open-ground trees. Its deciduous foliage is composed of large leaves, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long, alternate, ovate, with a shiny green colour that turns yellow-orange in autumn. Flowering occurs around mid-April, which generally protects it from frost. The white flowers, single, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in umbels, are nectar-producing. Frost can destroy them from -2 to -3°C (28.4 to 26.6°F). It is a hardy tree that can withstand temperatures around -25°C (-13°F) and is suitable for cultivation in all regions, including mountainous areas. This pear tree is considered self-sterile or self-incompatible, as the flowers cannot self-pollinate. That is why other pear varieties are required that flower at the same time. For example, the varieties Beurré Hardy, Conference, Doyenné du Comice, Jules Guyot, William's Bon Chrétien, and William's Rouge are suitable for cross-pollination and increasing the number of fruits.

The 'Parthenay Bergamotte' Pear is a variety with high yield, very fertile, quick to bear fruit and abundant and regular fruiting. The harvest begins mid-October, and the fruits are consumed from December to March. The pear can be eaten raw or cooked, in compotes, pastries, and desserts, in fruit salads or mixed salads, in combination with cheeses or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes, alongside duck, white meats (poultry and lamb), or game. It is also perfect for making juices or fruit syrups. Rich in water, the pear is refreshing and thirst-quenching. Very fleshy, it provides an incredible feeling of satiety. Moderately caloric, it is well supplied with potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant contribution of iron. It contains vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and fibres, making the pear a health asset. It is invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. The fruits can be stored until April if the harvest is late. Storage can be done in a cool, dry place, protected from light, at a temperature around 8 to 10°C (46.4 to 50°F), or in a cold room, airtight to the outside air, at a temperature of 1 to 3°C (33.8 to 37.4°F). Thanks to its fruits, the pear tree is very popular and is ideal in the garden for the pleasure of young and old alike. With so many pears to choose from, finding the right variety for you could not be easier.