Delices d'Hardenpont of Angers

Origin/History

Foreign (European) origin. Elliott notes it deserves more attention than it has received.

Tree

Tree of moderate growth and productive (Downing). Hardy, with upright shoots of yellowish brown color, a good bearer (Elliott). Elliott notes the variety deserves more attention.

Fruit

Size and Form

Medium in size. Downing describes it as roundish; Thomas describes it as obovate-turbinate, sometimes conic, approaching pyriform. These sources present somewhat different impressions of form — Downing's "roundish" and Thomas's "obovate-turbinate/pyriform" may reflect variation within the variety or different specimens.

Stem

Short and thick (Downing, Thomas). Downing notes it is inserted by a ring or lip at an inclination. Thomas notes it is fleshy at insertion. Elliott notes the stem as "varying."

Cavity

Downing describes a shallow cavity. Thomas describes little or none.

Calyx

Open (Downing). Small and closed (Elliott). Thomas describes the calyx as small.

Basin

Small and uneven (Downing, Thomas). Elliott describes it as round and slightly uneven.

Skin

Greenish, becoming yellowish at maturity, with a warm cheek, sprinkled and patched with russet (Downing). Thomas describes it as greenish-yellow with some russet. Elliott describes it as pale yellow with many gray dots and russet in the sun.

Flesh and Flavor

Yellowish, nearly melting, juicy, sugary, and aromatic (Downing). Elliott describes the flesh as whitish, buttery, melting, and juicy, rating it almost "best." Thomas describes the flesh as slightly coarse, juicy, rich, and perfumed. Downing rates the fruit Good to Very Good.

Core and Seeds

Elliott describes the core as medium, with seeds that are broad and ovate. Not described by other sources.

Season

October to November (Downing, Thomas). Elliott gives October.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.