Portuguese Rocha Pears: A Farm to Fork Experience por Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary

“Earlier this year I was invited to Óbidos, Portugal to participate in the Rocha Pear harvest and to learn more about this delicious fruit including its history, economic impact and culinary versatility. This gastronomic press trip was organized by ANP – National Association of Pera Rocha Producers and was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

HISTORY OF THE ROCHA PEAR

In 1836, Pedro António Rocha was walking through his farmland in the Oeste region of Portugal when he found an unusual fruit tree that took his interest. The tree produced a different kind of pear than he was used to – sweet, with a granular texture, although always soft and with some unique, specific qualities.

Each September, when the fruit from this tree was ripe, he’d harvest them and gift them to his friends to taste. Word quickly spread throughout the region, and this new pear gained popularity and investment backing. Its production spread throughout the western region of Portugal.”

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary

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