Pear Tree Boutoc – Angel Pear – AB

Description

Pear Tree Boutoc – Angel Pear

The Boutoc pear tree, also known as Poire d’Ange or Poire de Notre-Dame, is a heritage variety from Gironde (33), whose history dates back to the sixteenth century. Discovered near the village of Boutoc, in the canton of Langon, this pear was once renowned in the markets of Bordeaux where it was particularly sought after by local confectioners for its exceptional taste qualities. Even today, this ancestral variety will appeal to lovers of authentic flavours and fruits with a strong personality.

Characteristics of the Boutoc pear tree

The Boutoc pear tree develops a moderately vigorous, highly branched and remarkably fertile tree, with a regular production from year to year. Its mid-late flowering, which usually occurs in April, is distinguished by its beautiful pink petals, adding an ornamental dimension to this fruit tree.

The fruits, of medium to small size, have a characteristic pear-shaped to conical shape, with a long peduncle that gives them an elegant silhouette. The epidermis is yellow, sometimes dotted with grey and can be tinged with red-orange on the side exposed to the sun. The flesh is white, firm, fine and melting, very juicy and sweet, with a delicious aniseed fragrance that makes all the originality of this pear. This combination of flavours makes it an exceptional fruit, both in fresh consumption and in culinary preparations.

Cultivation and maintenance

The Boutoc pear tree stands out for its great hardiness and ease of cultivation, making it an ideal choice for beginner gardeners. It adapts to different types of soil, although it prefers rich, deep, well-drained soils. Its resistance to diseases, in particular its low susceptibility to scab, makes it a tree that requires little treatment.

The choice of rootstock is important in order to offer your fruit tree a good adaptation to different types of soil and to allow a balanced development of the latter.

To optimize production, you can also combine it with other varieties of pear trees with mid-late blooms (such as the Conference Pear Tree ) to improve pollination, although its fertility is already excellent. A sunny exposure will promote the ripening and development of the aromas of its fruits.

Culinary Uses

The Angel Pear is renowned for its versatility in the kitchen. Its melting and juicy flesh, with a subtle and fragrant taste, makes it an excellent table fruit for fresh tasting. Its harvest is spread from mid-August to the end of August, offering delicious fruit in the heart of summer.

Historically appreciated by Bordeaux confectioners, this pear lends itself particularly well to the making of preserves and compotes where its aniseed fragrance develops all its nuances. Its fine texture and balanced flavor also make it a great ingredient for pastries and desserts. The harvest can be spread over several weeks, allowing you to enjoy its taste qualities for a long time.

History and heritage

The history of the Angel Pear is fascinating and goes back several centuries. Mentioned as early as the sixteenth century under the names of Poire d’Ange or Poire de Notre-Dame, it was described in detail by pomologists such as Bauhin, who already praised its “aromatic, tangy, and pleasantly flavored flesh”. In the nineteenth century, Jules Gérand-Castros of the Gironde Horticultural Society reported the existence of “enormous trees, several centuries old, as big as oaks” in the commune of Boutoc, testifying to the antiquity of this variety.

By choosing to plant a Boutoc Pear Tree in your garden, you are participating in the preservation of an exceptional fruit heritage and you are giving yourself the opportunity to taste fruits whose reputation for excellence has survived the centuries. This variety, which has seduced the most demanding palates since the Renaissance, continues to enchant lovers of authentic pears with its unique taste and assertive personality.

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