Starkrimson
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 11/02/24
Description/Taste
Starkrimson pears are medium to large in size, averaging seven centimeters in diameter and ten centimeters in length, and have a pyriform, or traditional pear shape with a wide, bulbous bottom and a tapered, rounded neck. The smooth, thin crimson skin may be mottled with dusty green hues and transforms to bright red when ripe. The skin is also covered in prominent lenticels or pores and connects to a thick, brown-green stem. The ivory to cream-colored flesh is moist, crisp, fine-grained, and creamy with a soft, floral aroma. When ripe, Starkrimson pears are soft and very juicy with a mild, sweet-tart flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Starkrimson pears are available in the late summer through winter.
Current Facts
Starkrimson pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are a late summer variety and are members of the Rosaceae family along with apples and apricots. Also known as Red Clapp’s, Kalle, and Red Crimson, Starkrimson pears are one of the earliest varieties in pear season and are a mutation of the famous green clapp’s favorite pear. The name Starkrimson came from a combination of the color of the fruit and the Stark Bros company name as they own the rights to grow the variety. Valued for their bright color and sweet flavor, Starkrimson pears are commonly consumed fresh to showcase their unique jewel-toned skin.
Nutritional Value
Starkrimson pears are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, and also contain calcium, potassium, and some copper.
Applications
Starkrimson pears are best suited for raw applications as their bright red flesh is showcased when consumed fresh, but they can also be used for baking and canning. They can be sliced and mixed into pasta salads, fruit salads, and green salads, served as a topping on pizza, paired with strong cheeses on a charcuterie board, served with pesto and fresh cheese as an appetizer, or blended into smoothies, cereal, and yogurt bowls. They can also be used in some desserts such as popovers, bread, and cakes. Starkrimson pears compliment cheeses such as burrata, goat, gorgonzola, and blue, nuts such as hazelnut, almonds, and pine nuts, mint, cilantro, greens such as radicchio, kale, arugula, and watercress, jicama, carrots, garlic, onions, meats such as pulled pork, beef, and chicken, strawberries, kiwi, apple, lime, avocado, quinoa, and chocolate. Starkrimson pears will keep up to three weeks when stored in the refrigerator and for a couple of days when stored at room temperature.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Starkrimson pears have many names which reflect the colorful history of the pear. The name Red Clapp’s Favorite stems from the originally discovered fruit as it was a mutation found on a green clapp’s favorite pear tree, and Kalle is the last name of the grower who discovered the new mutation. Starkrimson is a trademarked name that was given to the variety after the pear’s discoverer transferred the rights to grow the pear to Stark Bros Nursery in Missouri. Unlike other varieties, Starkrimson pears are unique as they are deemed ripe by the color of their skin and should not be checked by using the neck test. These pears transform from a deep red to a bright red and will ripen from the inside out. If judged by the feel of the neck, the fruit will most likely be overripe before the neck shows signs of softness.
Geography/History
Starkrimson pears were originally discovered as a sport, or mutation, on a clapp’s tree in Missouri by Adrian Kalle in Van Buren County, Michigan in the early 1950s. Kalle then transferred the rights to Stark Bros Nursery in 1952, and a few years later they were introduced by Stark Bros as Starkrimson in 1956. Today, Starkrimson pears can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers and are grown in the United States, Chile, and New Zealand.
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