Golden Beurre
PearGolden Beurre
Origin/History
Imported from Bilboa, Spain, circa 1827 by Mr. Hooper of Marblehead, Massachusetts. In Spain, known by several names: Beurre Doré de Bilboa, Beurre Gris de Bilboa, and Beurre Gris de Portugal. The primary English designation, Hooper's Bilboa, derives from the importer. The original European name is unknown.
Tree
Healthy and hardy variety with vigorous growth habit. Forms a beautiful upright, round head. Produces abundantly and has proven a profitable orchard sort. Shoots stout and upright, light yellowish brown in color.
Fruit
Size & Form: Medium, regular obovate pyriform.
Skin & Color: Golden yellow, evenly dotted with small brown dots, marked with russet especially around the stalk.
Stem (Stalk): About an inch and a half long, rather slender, set in a small cavity.
Calyx: Small, closed, placed in a slight basin.
Flesh & Flavor: White, very buttery and melting, fine-grained. Slightly vinous flavor.
Quality: Very good.
Season
First to middle of September.
Uses
Productive commercial variety; indicated as a profitable orchard sort.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Listed as uncertain alternate name: "Driver?"
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Golden Beurre or Bilboa.
Hooper's Bilboa. Beurre Doré de Bilboa. Driver? Beurre Gris de Bilboa. Beurre Gris de Portugal.
The Golden Beurre of Bilboa was imported from Bilboa, Spain, about 1827, by Mr. Hooper, of Marblehead, Mass. Its European name is unknown. The tree is healthy, hardy, and a vigorous grower, forming a beautiful upright, round head, and producing abundantly. It is a profitable orchard sort. Shoots stout, upright, light yellowish brown.
Fruit medium, regular obovate pyriform, golden yellow, evenly dotted with small brown dots, and a little marked with russet, especially round the stalk. Stalk about an inch and a half long, rather slender, set in a small cavity. Calyx small, closed, placed in a slight basin. Flesh white, very buttery and melting, and fine-grained, with a slightly vinous flavor. Very good. First to the middle of September.