Bezi de Caissoy
PearBezi de Caissoy
Origin/History
An old pear said to have been discovered in the forest of Caissoy, in Bretagne.
Tree
Hardy and very productive. Young wood slender, dull olive yellow. (Downing)
Fruit
Size: Small.
Form: The two sources describe the form somewhat differently. Coxe describes it as round, a little flat at the crown. Downing describes it as roundish pyriform.
Stem: Coxe describes the stalk as straight and deeply planted. Downing describes it as short, set in a rather deep cavity. Both sources agree the cavity is deep; Downing does not characterize the stalk's posture.
Calyx: Open. (Downing) The eye is small and much sunk. (Coxe)
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Coxe describes the skin as green, turning yellow when fully ripe, and covered with clouds or spots of brown. Downing describes it as yellow, reddish brown in the sun, with numerous russet specks.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh white (Downing), tender and buttery (both sources agree). Sweet and aromatic (Downing). The juice resembles that of the Crasanne (Coxe). Rated very good (Downing).
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Coxe gives November. Downing extends the season from November to February, suggesting good keeping quality.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- BEZY DE CAISSOY.
This fruit is small and round, a little flat at the crown; the stalk is straight and deeply planted, the eye small, and much sunk; the skin green, turning yellow when fully ripe, and covered with clouds or spots of brown—the flesh tender and buttery, the juice resembles that of the Crasanne: it ripens in November.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Bezi de Caissoy.
Bezy de Quessoy. Nutmeg Pear. Roussette d'Anjou. De Quessoy. Petite Beurre d'Hiver. Small Winter Beurré. Wilding of Caissoy. Besi de Quassoy. Terreneuvaise. Besi de Bretagne.
An old Pear, said to have been discovered in the forest of Caissoy, in Bretagne. Tree hardy and very productive. Young wood slender, dull olive yellow.
Fruit small, roundish pyriform. Skin yellow, reddish brown in sun and numerous russet specks. Stalk short, set in a rather deep cavity. Calyx open. Flesh white, tender, buttery, sweet and aromatic. Very good. November to February.