The Kieffer's pears, while not as sweet as other varieties, are good for baking, canning and fresh eating. Kieffer pears may be eaten ripe off the tree. But to keep the abundant crop around long enough to figure out what to do with all that fruit, harvest them early and store the pears.
What is a Kieffer pear?
Kieffer Pear. Pyrus communis x P. pyrifolia. A hybrid between a European and Chinese sand pear with large yellow fruit. The white flesh is crisp, juicy, with a coarse texture. It produces fruit in late September to October. Very hardy and tolerates hot climates.
Do Kieffer pears grow in Zone 9?
Kieffer pear trees tolerates wide range of climates, hardiness zone 4-9. Excellent for canning, baking or making preserves. Kieffer pears produce late September through October. Will mature around 20' in height and prefers full sun.
Do Kieffer pears need to be refrigerated?
Unlike other common pears, Kieffer pears need a period of chilling before they are ready to be consumed fresh. The pears are harvested while hard on the tree and are put in the fridge or cool storage area. After storage, the pears will begin to soften and can be sliced fresh for a mild, sweet flavor.
What kind of soil do Kieffer pear trees like?
The Kieffer pear grows best in slightly acidic, deep, heavy, and moist (but well-drained) soil. Other soil types are tolerated, but the tree may produce a lighter crop.
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Is Kieffer pear good eating?
This tree: Produces large, long, golden yellow fruit with a crimson blush. The flesh is crisp, white and coarse in texture--good for canning, baking, preserves and pear honey. Yields ripe fruit typically in mid-September or mid-October.
Are Kieffer pears good eating raw?
I love them raw - crunchy and dripping with their own sweet juice. I love them sliced and laid out on a cold plate beside a good stinky cheese - a perfect pairing of crispy sweet and savory smooth flavors.
How does a Kieffer pear taste?
Kieffer pears have a faint, fruity, and musky aroma with a mild, sweet, and subtly tart flavor. It is important to note that the fruit's flavor improves after extended storage and is considered ripe when the flesh around the neck gives slightly under pressure.
What is the best tasting pear?
Bartlett (or Williams) Pear: This is the perfect choice when you want a really, really juicy pear. Both red and green Bartletts are also among the sweetest pears you'll find. Bosc Pear: These pears are wonderfully crisp, with a delicate sweet flavor that resembles the stereotypical pear taste perfectly.
Can I freeze Kieffer pears?
Any variety of pear can be frozen, but stick with pears that are ripe.
How long does it take for a Kieffer pear tree to produce fruit?
How Long Does It Take for a Kieffer Pear Tree To Bear Fruit? From the time of first being planted, the average pear tree takes between 3 and 10 years to start bearing fruit.
Which pear tree is the sweetest?
Comice. Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.
What is the best pear tree to grow?
5 of the Best Pear Tree Varieties To Grow at HomeBartlett Pear Trees. The Bartlett pear tree is a classic. ... Baldwin Pear Trees. Another good option for beginners is the Baldwin pear tree. ... Asian Pear Trees. If you are looking for a different type of pear, consider an Asian pear tree. ... Pineapple Pear Trees. ... Kieffer Pear Trees.
How tall do Kieffer pear trees get?
The tree requires 350 chill hours. It can self-pollinate or pollinate with the Orient Pear. Kieffer Pear trees are susceptible to blight. At maturity, it can reach a height between 15-20 feet and a width of 12-15 feet.
Which is the healthiest pear to eat?
Most Nutritious Pear VarietyVarietyFiber (grams)Vitamin C (mg)Anjou (green)3.14.4Anjou (red)35.2Asian3.63.8Bartlett3.14.41 more row
Why is one pear wrapped in gold?
The tradition of wrapping pears in gold started back in 1934. When Brothers Harry and David Rosenberg started sending residents of the East Coast with delicious pears as holiday gifts, they knew an extra touch was needed to convey the royalty of this decadent fruit.
Are there any poisonous pears?
Bradford pears, like all pear trees, are members of the rose plant family (Rosaceae). Other members include apples, quinces, loquats, peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums. The fruits of these trees have seeds which are, to varying extents, poisonous.
Can you eat kefir pears?
They are most commonly used in preserved or canned preparations when their flesh is still firm and holds its shape well. They can also be used in sauces with honey, sugar, or lemon to enhance the sweet flavor.
How big does a Kieffer pear tree get?
The tree requires 350 chill hours. It can self-pollinate or pollinate with the Orient Pear. Kieffer Pear trees are susceptible to blight. At maturity, it can reach a height between 15-20 feet and a width of 12-15 feet.
Do Kieffer pears have thorns?
Yes nearly all wild pears and rootstocks are thorny. Here is a seedling Bartlett. Glad you cleared up my issue. Nearly all my Kieffer seedlings have thorns.
Are Kieffer pears self-pollinating?
Anjou, Kieffer, and Bartlett are self-pollinating but they will produce more fruit if paired with another of the same kind. You can intermix these varieties and still get a successful fruit set, as they all bloom around the same time.
PEAR PRESERVES
In my 1947 Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving they still remembered how to treat the Kieffer pear in this classic preserves recipe.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS
Jeneen is a farmer and professor at the University of Louisville. She writes a weekly farm and garden column that...
