Poirier Deanery of the Comice – AB

Description

Poirier Deanery of the Comice

The Poirier Doyenné du Comice is an emblematic French variety created in 1849 in the fruit garden of the Comice horticole d’Angers by Hilaire Dhommé and Pierre-Aimé Millet de la Turtaudière. This legendary pear is the third most consumed variety in France after Williams and Conference. 🏆

Often considered as “the best pear“, it is the pride of the people of Angers and was recognized in 1996 by an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) as an Apple and Pear of Savoy for its exceptional taste qualities grown at altitude.

Outstanding characteristics of the fruit

The Doyenné du Comice pears are distinguished by their exceptional taste quality. Large to very large caliber, they have a belly shape with a finely punctate straw-yellow skin, often pink (“blush”) at altitude thanks to the day/night temperature differences.

The perfect white flesh is extremely melting, very juicy and delicately fragrant. This pear offers an exceptionally sweet and delicate taste, providing a unique taste experience that makes it one of the best table pears.

Culture and adaptation

The Doyenné du Comice pear tree is a very vigorous and hardy tree, reaching 6 metres in height and a wingspan of 4 metres. It has a semi-erect habit with a strong apical dominance, erect then more spread with age.

This variety is frost hardy and can be grown at high altitudes, which gives it remarkable hardiness. It appreciates a filtering, cool, deep and low limestone soil, in a sunny exposure.

🌿 Cultivation benefits

Its late flowering at the end of April, very similar to that of Williams, minimizes exposure to spring frosts. The tree is vigorous and productive, although it may exhibit a tendency to alternate.

Pollination

The Doyenné du Comice pear tree is not self-fertile and requires pollinators for optimal production. It pairs perfectly with the Conference AB Pear Tree, the Williams Yellow Pear Tree, the Louise Bonne Pear Tree and the Hardy Buttered Pear Tree.

📌 Major advantage: This variety is itself an excellent pollinator for many other varieties, giving it a strategic place in an orchard.

Exceptional harvest and conservation

The harvest takes place at the end of September to the beginning of October. Pears are best eaten in October-November, but their exceptional storage capacity of 4 to 5 months makes them a remarkable pear for keeping.

⚠️ Handling precautions

The very fine light yellow epidermis is fragile when ripe and requires great care during harvesting and handling. Pears should not be stacked and require gentle handling.

Prestigious culinary use

Doyenné du Comice pears are the chefs’ choice for their incomparable taste quality:

• Fresh tasting : Exceptional table pear
• Haute Pâtisserie : Perfect for fine desserts
• Accompaniments : Ideal with fine cheeses
• Luxury preserves : Jams and fruit in syrup
• Gastronomy : Poached pears, gourmet pies

Recognition and quality

This variety enjoys international recognition :

• IGP Savoie: Taste quality recognized in 1996
• Global Export : Grown in Europe, South Africa, USA
• Quality reference : 15% of French pear consumption
• Hardiness : Suitable for cold and high-altitude areas

Benefits of this excellent strain

• Taste quality : Considered the best pear
• Storage : Exceptional ageing period (4-5 months)
• Caliber : Impressive large fruits
• Hardiness : Frost resistant, cultivated at high altitudes
• Pollination : Excellent pollinator for other varieties
• Prestige : Reference variety recognized as PGI

The Poirier Doyenné du Comice represents the excellence of French pomology. This prestigious variety, acclaimed by chefs and lovers of exceptional pears, offers an unequalled taste quality and remarkable conservation. A must-have for any quality orchard! 🌟

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