The Origin of Red Pears
Until the mid-twentieth century, the fruits of all pear trees were green,
ripening to a golden yellow. Occasionally, on the sunny side of a tree,
several fruit developed a red blush, but this was considered a rarity. In
Europe, these red-blushed pears were a valued treasure and were much
sought after. In America, however, they were thought to be abnormal and
sent to the juice factory with the other culls. Around 1947, a Washington
pear grower named Max discovered that when a branch of a pear tree was
coated with red paint, all the fruit developing on that branch were red!
These fruits were completely red, not just blushed in a manner so
disparaged by the fruit industry. Max developed a thriving business
selling his crimson Bartlett gems for many times the price of ordinary
green pears. In time his secret was discovered, and now many pear growers
use Max's methods. Today, alas, scarlet pears are nearly as common as
golden apples.
jp - 1 April, 1996