Anjou Pears
Inventory, 40 lbs : 7.14
This item was last sold on : 09/08/24
Description/Taste
Anjou pears are medium in size, averaging eight centimeters in diameter, and are short, squat, and egg-shaped with a wide base that gradually tapers to a rounded top with a thick, dark-brown stem. The skin is bright green, smooth, firm, and is covered in lenticels or pores and some rose blush on the side most exposed to the sun. The flesh is white to cream-colored, dense, and buttery with a slightly gritty texture. When ripe, Anjou pears are juicy and soft with subtle, sweet flavors and notes of lemon and lime.
Seasons/Availability
Anjou pears are available year-round, with peak season in the late fall through winter.
Current Facts
Anjou pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are a European winter variety and are members of the Rosaceae or rose family. Also known as D’Anjou and Danjou, Anjou pears are one of the most recognized and popular pears in the United States and are named after the growing region in the Loire Valley, France. There are two different varieties including the red and green Anjou, and these pears are highly regarded by chefs for their long shelf life, versatility in culinary applications, and availability year-round. Green Anjou pears are unique in that they do not change color once ripe. They ripen from the inside out and the only way to ensure ripeness is to gently press on the neck of the fruit to feel if the fruit is ready for consumption.
Nutritional Value
Anjou pears contain vitamin C, calcium, and dietary fiber.
Applications
Anjou pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as poaching, baking, grilling, and roasting. They can be consumed fresh, out-of-hand or sliced and mixed with green salads, layered in sandwiches, wraps, and grilled cheese, used as a topping on pizza, or blended into smoothies and soups. They can also be used in pasta, displayed on cheese plates, or served with stuffed pork tenderloin and an Anjou pear reduction. Anjou pears hold up well to baking and can be used in pies and tarts, poaching, or made into sauces and purees. Anjou pears compliment meats such as prosciutto, pork, and beef, wasabi, butter lettuce, arugula, fennel, radicchio, mushrooms, radish sprouts, carrots, apple, fig preserves, red onion, cheeses such as mozzarella, cambozola, brie, and camembert, Greek yogurt, quinoa, pecans, sesame seeds, cinnamon, ginger powder, and balsamic dressing. They will keep up to seven months when stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Anjou pears are known for their subtly sweet flavor and are used as the pear puree in the pear jelly bean of the national Jelly Belly line. These popular jelly beans capture the Anjou’s aromatic scent and sweet, citrusy flavor to create a bite-sized treat.
Geography/History
The original and proper name for Anjou pears is Beurré d'Anjou, which translates to, "buttery pears of Anjou" or Angers, France which is where the pears are believed to have originated. Anjou pears were spread to England in the early 19th century and then to the United States in the mid-19th century via Colonel Marshall P. Wilder as he wanted to grow the variety in his home garden in Boston. Today Anjou pears are also cultivated in Washington State, Oregon, and the Rio Negro area of Argentina in addition to France and can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
The Besta-Wan Pizza House | Cardiff CA | 805-231-2515 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 1-619-234-1500 |
Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
Scuderie Italia | San Diego CA | 858-352-6912 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Drift Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-263-4298 |
Green Acres Campus Bar | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
The Pearl Hotel (Brunch) | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-420-7764 |
Comma | San Diego CA | 619-802-9183 |
Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
Animae (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Gelato 101 (Solana) | Solana Beach CA | 858-404-0799 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
4 The Love Of Lemons | San Diego CA | 760-613-1104 |
Azucar | San Diego CA | 619-523-2020 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Anjou Pears. One is easiest, three is harder.
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