Beurré Winter

Pear

Beurré Winter

Origin/History

Raised by Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, England, from seed of the Easter Beurré. Hedrick cautions that this variety must not be mistaken for either the Black Achan or Chaumontel, each of which also carries the name Beurré Winter as a synonym.

Tree

Moderately vigorous, spreading habit, an early and abundant bearer. (Elliott)

Fruit

Size and Form: The two sources conflict on size: Hedrick describes the fruit as large; Elliott describes it as medium. Elliott gives the form as obovate elongated pyriform.

Stem: Stout, curved, inclined at its insertion. (Elliott)

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Firmly closed. (Elliott)

Basin: Shallow, irregular. (Elliott)

Skin: Greenish, rough, spotted with russet. (Elliott)

Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish, fine grained, melting, buttery, vinous or sub-acid (Elliott). Hedrick describes the flavor as very rich and vinous, rating the variety excellent.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

January through March. Elliott gives January–February; Hedrick gives February–March.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Beurré Winter,

i. McIntosh Bk. Gard. 2:460. 1855.

Raised by Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, Eng., from seed of the Easter Beurré; must not be mistaken for either the Black Achan or Chaumontel for each of which the name Beurré Winter is synonymous. Fruit large; flesh very rich flavor and vinous; excellent; Feb. and Mar.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)

Beurre Winter.

Raised by Thomas Rivers, England. Tree, moderately vigorous, spreading, an early and abundant bearer. Fruit, medium, obovate elongated pyriform ; skin, greenish, rough, spotted with russet ; stalk, stout, curved, inclined at its insertion ; calyx, firmly closed, set in a shallow irregular basin ; flesh, yellowish fine grained, melting, buttery, vinous or sub-acid. January, February.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)