Stinking Bishop (pear) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pear 'Stinking Bishop' |
|
|---|---|
| Genus | Pyrus |
| Species | Pyrus communis |
| Cultivar | "Stinking Bishop" |
| Breeder | Frederick Bishop, 1800s |
| Origin | Dymock |
The Stinking Bishop is a special type of pear. It grows near Dymock in Gloucestershire, England. People mostly grow it to make perry, which is a drink like cider but made from pears.
This pear's main name is actually 'Moorcroft'. It got this name from the farm in Colwall where it first grew. 'Stinking Bishop' is just one of its many nicknames. Other names include 'Malvern Hills', 'Malvern Pear', 'Choke Pear', and 'Choker'.
The name 'Stinking Bishop' comes from a man named Frederick Bishop. He owned Moorcroft Farm in the early 1800s. People believe he was the one who first grew this pear. Frederick Bishop was known for being quite grumpy! There's a funny story that he once got so mad at his kettle for not boiling fast enough that he shot it. Even if this story isn't completely true, it shows why he had a reputation for being easily annoyed.
What the Stinking Bishop Pear Looks Like
The 'Moorcroft' pear is a medium-sized fruit. It has a round, cone-like shape. When it's young, its skin is greenish-yellow. As it ripens, it turns a bright yellow. It also has some "russetting," which means it has rough, brownish patches on its skin.
Taste and Use
The juice from this pear has a medium amount of sourness and a bit of a dry, bitter taste called tannin. It doesn't have much citric acid, which is what makes lemons sour. In the 1800s, people loved this pear for making perry. They said it made a strong and flavorful drink.
