seckel pear on spoon dripping with honey

Seckel Pears

 Seckel Pears

Characteristics
Appearance:

Green with deep maroon blush to nearly all red

Texture & Firmness:

Flesh is slightly more dense and coarse than most other pears

Internal Character:

Off-white to pale yellow

Flavor:

Deemed the "sugar pear," Seckels are small in size but boast the sweetest flavor profile of all pear varieties
Shape:

Chubby, round body, short neck and short stem

Size:

Very small

Uses:

Seckel is a great snacking pear; Not well suited for recipes due to the small size

The origin of Seckel pears is somewhat unclear, but many people believe they are the only true American pear variety. Seckel pears are thought to have originated in the early 1800’s as a wild seedling near Philadelphia. However, some experts disagree with this theory and believe that German immigrants traveling westward may have just left seeds behind.

Seckel pears are considered the smallest of all commercially grown pears. But what they lack in size, they make up for with their sweet flavor. They are usually green with a dark maroon blush that can cover the entire surface of the fruit.

Seckel’s are considered the smallest of all commercially grown pears.

Stemilt harvests Seckel pears in September. Seckel pears are not recommended for cooking due to their small size, but are fantastic for fresh eating.