General Leclerc Pears
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
General Leclerc pears are medium to large in size and are tear-drop shaped with a large bulbous base that tapers into a smaller neck with a thick dark brown stem. The thin skin is smooth with a yellow-green base and is covered in honey brown spotting and mottling. The flesh is crisp, white to ivory, and firm with a central core encasing a few small, black-brown seeds. When ripe, General Leclerc pears are juicy with a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Seasons/Availability
General Leclerc pears are available in the fall through winter.
Current Facts
General Leclerc pears, botanically classified as Pyrus communis, are a rare variety that is a member of the Rosaceae family along with apples and peaches. Believed to be a descendant of the doyenne du comice pear, General Leclerc pears are a European variety that was named after the famous French general. In addition to being cultivated in Europe, General Leclerc pears are favored for fresh eating and have also become a popular variety in Japan.
Nutritional Value
General Leclerc pears contain fiber, vitamin C, some calcium, and potassium.
Applications
General Leclerc pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking, grilling, or poaching. They are commonly consumed fresh, out-of-hand as a dessert or afternoon snack, but they can also be sliced and mixed in with cheesy pasta, leafy green salads, soups, or juiced and used in smoothies. General Leclerc pears hold their shape when cooked, so they can also be grilled and served with main meat dishes, poached in syrups, or baked into desserts such as cakes, tarts, muffins, bread, and popovers. General Leclerc pears compliment meats such as poultry, pork, and lamb, goat cheese, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, cranberries, lemon, chocolate, and vanilla. They will keep for a couple of days when stored at room temperature and a couple of weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
General Leclerc pears have become increasingly popular in Japan for their balanced flavors and crisp texture. Introduced in 1988, the pears are mainly cultivated in the city of Nanbu which is in the Aomori Prefecture, a region known for its temperature changes and a climate suitable for pear growth. General Leclerc pears are also being produced on a smaller scale in Hokkaido, which is a region known for its fresh fruit. Despite their popularity, General Leclerc pears are still a rarity to find in stores. In Japan, they are most commonly found at well-known department stores and are also exported to Hong Kong for fresh eating and for giving as gifts.
Geography/History
General Leclerc pears were introduced in 1974 and were developed by the Fruit Research Station of Angers, France. The pear was named after the World War II French hero Jacque Philippe Leclerc and was likely a chance seedling of the comice pear, sometime before 1950. Today General Leclerc pears are still grown in France and are also grown in Australia and Japan, where the pears are quite popular and are often given as gifts.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include General Leclerc Pears. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Whitney Bond |
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Caramelized Pear and Brie Grilled Cheese |
| Hummusapien |
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Chai Spiced Pear Baked Steel-Cut Oatmeal |
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