Kieffer pear

Kieffer pears range in size from medium to big and have an elongated form with a wide bottom that tapers into a smaller, rounded neck. The skin is semi-smooth and light yellow to pale green in color, with strong lenticels with a deep crimson blush, while the stem is thin and dark brown. The flesh is gritty, crisp, and hard, with a central core encasing a few dark brown seeds. Kieffer pears are said to have a musky scent and a juicy, mellow, sweet flavor.

Kieffer pears, botanically classed as a cross between the European bartlett pear, Pyrus communis, and the Asian sand pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, are an old American variety that, like apricots and apples, belongs to the Rosaceae family. Kieffer pears were previously a popular kind to grow in orchards and use as agricultural property boundaries, but demand has declined to owe to current consumer tastes. Kieffer pear trees may grow up to six meters tall and are disease resistant, productive, hardy, and have a long life. Kieffer pears, which are classed as a winter pears used for canning, baking, and fresh eating, require a chilling period to allow the fruit to mature over time.