krm wrote in message ...
When are pears generally ripe in the London area? Is mid-August too
early?

I'm looking at a churchwardens' record for 1556 that shows considerable
expenses to feed the choir "wyne, peares & sugar" on August 15. Would
pears have been abundant in mid-August, or was this an out-of-season
delicacy?


'Pears' by Arbury & Pinhey lists the earliest pear 'Doyenne
d'Ete' as being available to eat from mid-July. That variety
was raised after 1556, but there may well have been other
varieties that were as early. 'Jargonelle', for instance is
eaten mid-late August according to the same book. Nearly
all the other varieties are to be eaten in September or later.

A complicating factor is- what was the climate like in 1556?
as it has changed a lot over the centuries.

Further possibilities a
1.the pears could have been imported from France or further afield.
2.the pears could have been preserved (I think) in wine and
sugar from the previous season.
3. (amusingly in the light of your source) They could have been
*warden* pears which keep a very long time, and are stewed
with sugar or honey, and spices. I don't know whether they could
keep until August from the previous year, though.

--
Anton