Pear (Pyrus communis) TAJUŠČAJA

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Tajuščaja'

A Ukrainian variety with extremely large fruits and buttery flesh.

'Tajuščaja' (which translates to "Melting") is a unique early winter pear variety from Crimea that fully lives up to its name. It is prized especially for its extremely large fruits, which typically weigh 360–400 g and can grow up to 800 g. Its flesh is its greatest asset—it is creamy, very juicy, melting, and buttery, just as its name suggests. The taste is excellent, dessert-quality, sweet with a pleasant acidity. The variety is highly productive and resistant to diseases, frost, and drought.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extremely large fruits: Fruits weighing 360–800 g are among the largest in the world.
• Excellent buttery ("melting") flesh: Very juicy, melting, with a dessert flavor.
• High resistance: Resistant to frost (down to -25°C), drought, and major pear diseases.
• High and annual productivity.
• Late blooming: Protects the crop from spring frosts.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Ukraine, Crimea
• Institution: Crimean Experimental Station of Horticulture
• Cross: ‘Beurré Bosc’ × ‘Olivier de Serres’
• Year of registration: 1933

Variety Characteristics

Tree

Growth is strong and fast, with a broad pyramidal, medium-dense crown. It comes into bearing in the 4th year after planting. It is partially self-fertile, but a pollinator is recommended for maximum yields.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Very large, with an average weight of 360–400 g, and a maximum of up to 800 g.
• Shape: Broadly pear-shaped, ribbed.
• Skin: Thin, smooth, greenish-yellow to yellow, with a possible pink blush.
• Flesh: Creamy, medium-dense, very juicy, melting, and buttery.
• Taste: Excellent, dessert-quality, rich, harmonious, sweet with a mild acidity.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: High (down to -25 °C).
• Disease resistance: High resistance to scab and fungal diseases.
• Drought resistance: Resistant.
• Soil requirements: Undemanding, prefers light and sufficiently moist soils.

Growing Recommendations

• Use: Universal – excellent for fresh consumption, as well as for drying and processing.
• Handling: Due to the extremely large fruit weight, careful handling is required during harvest and transport.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: End of September. The fruits hold very firmly on the tree and do not drop.
• Eating maturity: After harvest, the fruits need to ripen for 7–10 days at room temperature.
• Storability: Can be stored in a refrigerator or a good cellar until January.