Forelle Pears

Characteristics

Appearance:

Green in color or with red lenticels. The green turns to yellow as they ripen.

Texture & Firmness:

Flesh is slightly more dense and coarse than most other pears

Internal Character:

White to off-white

Flavor:

Forelle is a bite-sized pear with a smooth texture and distinct cinnamon spice flavor that is enhanced when matched with cheese or tart foods

Shape:

Symmetrical bell-shaped body with a small, round base that tapers evenly to a short neck

Size:

Small to medium

Uses:

Forelle is a great snacking pear; not well suited for recipes due to the small size

Forelle pears are thought to have originated in the 1600-1700’s in northern Saxony, Germany. The name Forelle means “trout” in German. The Forelle pear variety most likely earned this name because of the similarity between the pear’s brilliant red lenticels and the colors of a Rainbow trout. German immigrants brought Forelle pears to the U.S. in the 1800’s.

Forelle pears may be small in size, but they have a super-sweet flavor. They are bell-shaped that tapers evenly to a short neck. Their red lenticels appear in bright contrast to their brilliant yellow skin when the fruit is ripe.

Stemilt harvests Forelle pears in the fall. Because of their small size, Forelle pears are not recommended for cooking. However, their sweet taste and size make them perfect for lunchbox treats.