Emilia-Romagna Pears

Emilia-Romagna PGI Pears refer to the fresh fruit of the following pear varieties: Abate Fetel, Conference, Decana del Comizio, Kaiser, Max Red Bartlett, Cascade, Passa Crassana, Williams, Santa Maria and Carmen. They are grown in various boroughs in the province of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Ravenna and Reggio Emilia. The fruit was granted the Protected Geographical Identification (PGI) status in 1998.

Its cultivation dates back to the early fourteenth century. Agronomists however, only began to give attention to arboriculture at the end of the fifteenth century, so by the seventeenth century Emilia-Romagna was dotted with fruit orchards.

In addition to being eaten as fresh fruit, pears are used as an ingredient in numerous recipes, from appetizers to main courses.

Since 2002, the Emilia-Romagna Pear Consortium has been working to defend the quality of the fruit, applying the production and enhancement guidelines with support activities for producers and consumers alike.

A Pear Festival is organised every year, in Galliera, where various traditional pear-based dishes are served, such as the traditional cheese with pears, risotto or ravioli.