Brownish yellow and russet, most often having a dark reddish blush, the small almost bite-size seckel pear, pronounced SEHK-uhl, sometimes has a dull green cast. A very sweet pear with a rather grainy texture, this hybrid offers a subtly spicy flavor.

Nutritional Value

Providing some vitamin C and dietary fiber, one medium pear has about 100 calories.

Serving Ideas

Intensify flavor by marinating slices in pear brandy. Halves make attractive garnish for salads and sandwiches. Seckel pears are excellent for pickling and spicing. Taking longer to ripen than other pears, this pear is a very good keeper when refrigerated. To store, place in a fruit bowl or basket and keep at room temperature until ripe.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

The first American pears were raised from seed, which like apples, do not breed true to variety. Because of this, American pears became even more diverse than their European ancestors, resulting in many pure American strains.

Geography/History

Believed to be a truly American pear and named in honor of a Pennsylvania farmer who discovered it around 1820, the seckel is thought to be a hybrid of Asian and European pears. Quite different from any European variety, this variety is the smallest of all commercially grown pears and sometimes called a sugar pear.

Seasons/Availability

Seckel pears are available late summer through spring.