Red Bartlett Pear

All share same qualities as standard Bartlett aside from ripening to reddish color rather than yellow. Similar flavor profile with added visual appeal. Vigorous tree, smaller tree than standard Bartlett, growing to less than 20 feet. Not self-fertile, requires pollinator, cross-pollinator required, cannot use another Bartlett.

White flowers in May, blooms in spring. Medium to large pyriform bell-shaped fruit, classic pear shape, long-necked. Green when underripe turning to bright scarlet-red to deep crimson red to dark red when fully ripe, red flush doesn't appear until fully ripe and ready to eat, attractive uniform bright intense red skin. Soft white flesh, buttery smooth and juicy when fully ripe, sweet and aromatic, melting texture. Most consider red selection much sweeter than standard Bartlett, higher sugar content, sweet honeyed flavor. Ripens late summer to early fall, mid to late summer, along with regular green Bartlett. Best picked when firm ripe before dark red color intensifies, crunchy and mildly sweet at this stage, gets better once picked and allowed to mellow, sugar content keeps growing as flesh becomes buttery smooth.

Max Red originated Zillah WA 1938. Sensation Red discovered Australia 1930s-1940. Red Bartletts increasing in popularity. Attractive to consumers for aesthetic appeal and antioxidant health benefits from anthocyanins in red skin.