PEAR

The genus Pyrus (family Rosaceae) probably evolved during the Tertiary Period on top of the Tian Shen mountains in the province of Xinjiang, in the westernmost part of China. Later on, it spread to the east and west. It is considered as one of the most delicious types of fruit combining a buttery, creamy, and juicy texture with an extremely rich flavour and aroma. Now,

Asian pears from China and Japan are characterised by their crunchy texture and sweet flavour. Although these species are not highly cultivated in other geographies, they have been increasingly planted in several parts of the world over the past decades. Pears are also known by their Japanese name ‘nashi’ or ‘nihon nashi’. The first record of pears produced in Europe dates back to 1000 A.D. and was written by Homer in Greece, who claims that pears were a ‘gift from God’. Pear production established itself in Greece, where several farms were propagated. In the 18th century, Belgium and France experienced a breakthrough in the selection of the most buttery cultivations, namely ‘Beurré Bosc’ and ‘Doyenné du Comice’.

Now our Pera Rocha tells the story that in 1836 a different kind of pear was found at the property of Mr Pedro António Rocha, in Sintra. With different colour, texture, and flavour, the western Pera Rocha is an appealing variety also due to its amazing durability and resistance to handling and transportation losing very little flavour while in preservation.

The western Pera Rocha is an exclusively Portuguese variety with protected designation of origin (DOP). DOP is granted to products that are produced, processed, and prepared in a defined geographical area with a recognised know-how. The climate and knowledge of the western people were determinant in leading to a product with exceptional quality and flavour characteristics recognised around the world.

info per 100 ml