Besi d'Héry
PearOrigin and History
Discovered as a wilding in the forest of Héry (or Héric) in Brittany in the sixteenth century. The Bretons presented a basket of this fruit to King Henry IV on his visit to Brittany in 1598. Known historically as Kummelbirne.
Tree
A good bearer in rich soil. Other characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium, globular
Skin: Thin, very smooth, bright green at first, changing when ripe to pale yellow, with a blush of red on the side next the sun, strewed with very minute points
Flesh and Flavor: White, fine, semi-melting, generally gritty; juice sufficient, sweet, with somewhat of a Muscat perfume
Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Core and Seeds: Not described in source
Season
October to January
Uses
First-rate cooking pear
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Besi d'Héry.
- Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 2:139. 1768.
- Hogg Fruit Man. 506. 1884. Kummelbirne.
- Dochnahl Fuhr. Obstkunde 2:7. 1856.
A wilding discovered in the forest of Héry or Héric in Brittany in the sixteenth century. The Bretons presented a basket of this fruit to King Henry IV on his visit to Brittany in 1598.
Fruit medium, globular; skin thin, very smooth, bright green at first, changing when it ripens to pale yellow, with blush of red on the side next the sun, strewed with very minute points; flesh white, fine, semi-melting, generally gritty; juice sufficient, sweet, with somewhat of a Muscat perfume; first-rate cooking pear; Oct. to Jan. A good bearer in rich soil.