Anjou Pears
Estimated Inventory, 40 lbs : 5.48
This item was last sold on : 11/22/24
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.
Marriott Courtyard Nolen | San Diego CA | 619-544-1004 |
Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Azucar | San Diego CA | 619-523-2020 |
The Pearl Hotel (Brunch) | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Green Acres Campus Bar | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
The Haven (Pizzeria) | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Nadolife Production | San Diego CA | 619-239-1224 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
The Remy (bar) | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
4 The Love Of Lemons | San Diego CA | 760-613-1104 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Urban Corps Charter School | San Diego CA | 619-235-6884 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
Patisserie Melanie | San Diego CA | 619-677-2132 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Lumi (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Golf Course Amenities | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-780-0974 |
Warren Walker School Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-223-3663 |
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
The Pearl Hotel Bar | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Wrench and Rodent | Oceanside CA | 760-840-1976 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Bar) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill - Bar | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Anjou Pears. One is easiest, three is harder.
Podcasts