Passe Crassane

The favorite winter pear of France. After the new year when the season of 'Comice' has run its course, pear amateurs may turn at last to their true love, the Passe Crassane. Baseball sized and apple shaped, the fruit is rough of skin and marked with port-wine stains of varying degree upon the shoulder. Within, the flesh is remarkably dense and granular, free of fiber, juicy; the flavor is decidedly citrous and, in properly grown specimens, rich in sugar. This finest fruit of winter requires a tree location in full sun, with a dry and warm summer ... most of the French supply now comes from Italy. Susceptible to fireblight. Harvest mid December, store at least one month. On Betulaefolia.