Musk, Spice
PearMusk, Spice Pear
Origin & History
Known historically as Rousselet de Rheims, this excellent and popular pear derives its common English name from its distinctive flavor character.
Tree Characteristics
The tree is remarkably vigorous, producing long shoots characteristic of the Catharine group, from which it is sometimes called the late Catharine or autumn Catharine. It does not bear fruit until the tree reaches substantial size, but once established becomes very fruitful.
Fruit Description
Size & Form: Less than medium size, with an oval form slightly produced (extended) toward the stem.
Stem: Short and thick.
Calyx End (Blossom End): Round and even.
Eye: Large.
Skin: Greenish yellow ground color with a brilliant cheek (colored flush) toward the sun. The cheek is sometimes red and sometimes brown. The surface is spotted with small dots distributed throughout.
Flesh & Flavor: Half breaking (partially melting, partially crisp) texture, fine and delicate. The flavor is high (intense/pronounced) and very peculiar musky flavor, from which the variety derives its common name.
Core & Seeds: [Not detailed in source]
Season & Use
Ripens in August and September. Achieves its highest perfection when fully ripe and eaten directly from the tree.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- MUSK, SPICE, OR ROUSSELET DE RHEIMS.
This excellent and popular pear, is less than the medium size — the form is oval, a little produced towards the stem, which is short and thick, the blossom end round and even ; the eye large ; the skin a greenish yellow, with a brilliant cheek towards the Sun, sometimes red, sometimes brown, spotted with small dots in every part ; the flesh is half breaking, fine, and of a high and very peculiar musky flavour, whence it derives its name in common use.
The tree is remarkably vigorous, grows with long shoots like the Catharine, from which it is often called the late Catharine, or autumn Catharine ; it does not bear till large, it is then very fruitful ; the time of ripening in August and September ; it is eaten in the highest perfection when fully ripe from the tree.