Red Anjou Pear Information
Red Anjou is a sport, which means it developed as a natural mutation on a Green Anjou tree. One branch with red pears was discovered on a tree in Medford, Oregon. These first examples of the variety were then used to create Red Anjou pear trees. The flavor of this pear is sweet with just a taste of citrus. The flesh is cream to blush pink in color, dense, and firm. What really separates the Red Anjou from other pears is the beautiful red skin. It can range from bright crimson to deep maroon and sometimes has streaks of gold or green. You can use Red Anjou pears for fresh eating, but they also hold up well when poached. Also try them in baked goods, like tarts and pies, in salads, and grilled or cooked in savory dishes. The color makes a stunning addition to a lot of different recipes.
Growing Red Anjou Pears
Growing Red Anjou pear trees will add a new, delightful fruit to your fall harvest. The pears are ready to pick in the fall, but they can actually be stored and enjoyed all winter. Adding this tree to your home orchard will extend your ability to enjoy fresh fruit throughout the winter months. Red Anjou can be grown in zones 5 through 8, and these trees do need another variety for pollination. Choose another variety that ripens sooner for a continual harvest. Good options are Bartlett and Moonglow. Pear trees need full sun, and they prefer loamy soil that drains well and is just slightly acidic. Loosen up the soil and add organic material before putting the tree in the ground. Water your tree regularly for the first growing season, and then in subsequent years water only when rainfall is less than about an inch (2.5 cm.) per week. Prune the tree from the beginning, shaping and thinning it with a central leader during the dormant months. Red Anjou pears are ready to be picked just before they ripen. The color does not change much, so it may take some guessing the first season you collect a harvest. Let the pears ripen indoors and store them in a cool, dark spot for the winter months.
