Red Bergamot
Pear
Red Bergamot
Origin/History
A very old pear, noted by Downing as being of little value. Coxe describes it in his 1817 American pomological survey. Downing (1900) lists numerous French synonyms, indicating European — likely French — origin and wide Continental circulation before its introduction to American orchards.
Tree
Of vigorous growth and large size (Coxe). Does not bear while young, but when more advanced in age becomes a great bearer (Coxe). Other tree characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Coxe describes the fruit as sometimes large but usually of moderate size. Downing gives the size as below medium — the two sources conflict on this point.
Form: Coxe describes the form as round, flattened at both ends. Downing describes it as roundish, sometimes obovate acute pyriform — the two sources differ, with Downing suggesting a wider range of shapes including a more elongated, acute-tipped form.
Stem: The stalk is very long (Coxe). Not described in Downing.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Yellow, the cheek next the sun of a lively red, dotted with small russet spots (Coxe). Pale yellow, mostly overspread with dull red in the sun (Downing). Both sources agree on the yellow ground color with red sun-side coloring; Coxe additionally notes small russet dots.
Flesh/Flavor: Coarse and tender, very full of juice, of a fine flavour, rich and sprightly (Coxe). Soft, melting, juicy, sweet (Downing). The two sources conflict on texture: Coxe calls the flesh coarse, while Downing describes it as soft and melting. Both agree on high juice content.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
August (Coxe). September (Downing). The two sources conflict on ripening time by approximately one month.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing characterizes the variety as "a very old Pear, of little value" — a commercial assessment reflecting its standing by 1900.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- RED BERGAMOT.
This fruit is sometimes large, but usually of a moderate size ; the form round, flattened at both ends ; the stalk very long, the flesh coarse and tender ; very full of juice, of a fine flavour, rich, and sprightly ; the skin is yellow, the cheek next the Sun of a lively red, dotted with small russet spots ; the time of ripening in August ; the tree is of vigorous growth, and large size ; it does not bear while young, but when more advanced is a great bearer.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Red Bergamot.
Bergamotte Rouge. Du Colombier. Bergamotte Musquée. De Sicile Musquée. De Sicile. Crassane d'Été. Petit Muscat d'Automne. Bergamotte Dorée.
A very old Pear, of little value.
Fruit below medium, roundish, sometimes obovate acute pyriform, pale yellow, mostly overspread with dull red in sun. Flesh soft, melting, juicy, sweet. September.