The 7 Unbelievable Secrets Behind Harry & David’s World-Famous Royal Riviera Pears

For nearly a century, Harry & David’s Royal Riviera Pears have been the gold standard for premium fruit gifts, transforming a simple piece of produce into a luxurious, buttery, and unforgettable experience. As of December 10, 2025, this iconic gourmet brand continues its legacy, with the legendary fruit remaining a centerpiece in their seasonal and holiday offerings, even expanding its reach through new pop-up locations across the country. The obsession surrounding these pears isn't just marketing; it’s a story rooted in unique geography, meticulous farming, and a flavor profile so succulent, you’re told to eat them with a spoon.

The quest for the perfect fruit gift often leads back to the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, the exclusive home of this celebrated Comice pear variety. This deep dive reveals the seven secrets—from the founders' original vision to the perfect ripening technique—that make the Royal Riviera Pear a world-famous, highly-sought-after delicacy that defines the holiday season for millions.

The Founders, The Fruit, and The Rogue Valley Legacy

The story of the world-famous pears is inseparable from the vision of its founders and the unique terroir of their home state. Here is a brief look at the key entities and history that established the brand.

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• Founders: Harry and David Holmes
• Founding Year: 1934
• Location: Medford, Oregon (The Rogue Valley)
• Original Pear Variety: Comice Pear
• Signature Product Name: Royal Riviera® Pears
• Acreage: Harry & David owns and farms over 2,000 acres of Comice pear trees.
• Business Model: Initially, the brothers focused on selling their premium fruit to European nobility, but the Great Depression forced them to pivot to mail-order gourmet fruit gifts, a brilliant move that saved the business.
• Current Status: Harry & David is a premier American gourmet food and gift brand, best known for its iconic pears and expansive gift baskets, now part of the 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. family.

The brothers, Harry and David Holmes, took over their father's sprawling pear orchards and recognized the unparalleled quality of the Comice pear variety growing in their unique microclimate.

1. It's Not a Standard Pear: The Comice Connection

The first and most crucial secret lies in the pear's heritage. The Royal Riviera® Pear is a specially cultivated variety of the French Comice pear, a fruit long enjoyed by European nobility for its superior qualities.

The specific conditions in the Rogue Valley—including the perfect balance of soil, sun, and water—allow this particular Comice cultivar to achieve a level of sweetness and size rarely seen elsewhere. They are often described as being so big and juicy that they are a meal in themselves.

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2. The "Buttery" Flavor Profile That Demands a Spoon

What sets the Royal Riviera apart from common supermarket varieties is its incredible texture and flavor. The pear is famous for being "buttery" and "exceptionally sweet."

Unlike many pears that can be grainy or mealy, this fruit boasts a smooth, creamy texture and extreme juiciness, which is why the company famously suggests eating them with a spoon. The flavor is a succulent, honey-like sweetness that makes them ideal for eating fresh or pairing with savory items like Aged White Cheddar Cheese or salty Mixed Nuts, often found in their popular gift baskets.

3. The Unique Microclimate of the Rogue Valley, Oregon

The Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon is one of the four main pear-growing regions in the Northwest, and it provides the ideal terroir for the Royal Riviera.

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The region’s rich soil and the climate—with warm days and cool nights—are essential factors in developing the pear's signature large size and high sugar content. The area around Medford, Oregon, where the orchards are located, is renowned for its lush fruit production, ensuring that every pear harvested meets the brand's stringent standards for quality and flavor.

4. The Meticulous, Hand-Picked Harvest Process

The quality of a Harry & David pear is a result of intense human oversight. The pears are hand-picked at the peak of their season, which typically runs during the fall harvest from the last week of August through September.

Crucially, the pears are picked when they are mature but still firm. Pears, unlike many other fruits, ripen best off the tree. This careful timing ensures the fruit is perfectly conditioned for cold storage and shipping, guaranteeing that it arrives at its destination in pristine condition, ready for the crucial final step of ripening at home.

5. The Ripening Secret: The "Neck Check" Method

One of the most common questions from customers is "How do I ripen my Harry & David pears?" The secret is simple but vital: pears ripen from the inside out and from the bottom up.

To achieve that perfect buttery texture, you must store the pears in their box at room temperature. The key is the "neck check." The pear is ready to eat when the flesh at the base of the stem (the neck) yields gently to light pressure. If the neck is soft, the entire pear is ready to be enjoyed. Storing them in a cool, dry place until ready to ripen ensures they last longer.

6. The Gift of Variety: Beyond the Classic Fruit Basket

While the classic box of Royal Riviera Pears is a timeless gift, the brand leverages its famous fruit in dozens of other high-end products, adding topical authority to their offerings. The pears serve as the foundation for a wide range of gourmet experiences, including:

• Deluxe Pears, Apples, and Cheese Gift: Pairing the sweet fruit with complementary savory snacks.
• Organic Fruit Baskets: Featuring certified organic Royal Riviera Pears alongside seasonal Red Apples and oranges.
• Royal Verano® Pears: A similar, high-quality pear that sometimes appears in seasonal collections.
• Hard Pear Cider: Using the succulent pears to create a unique, celebratory beverage.
• Maverick Pears: Pears that might be slightly redder or irregularly shaped but are just as juicy and sweet inside.

7. A Legacy of Delight That Continues to Evolve

For over 90 years, the legacy of the Holmes brothers has endured, proving that quality and attention to detail transcend fleeting food trends. The brand’s continued relevance is evident in its modern approach to retail, including the launch of limited-time brick-and-mortar pop-up stores in 2025 across key shopping centers.

Whether you receive them in a classic "The Favorite" box, a lavish Signature Gift Basket, or as a component of a holiday spread, the Royal Riviera Pear remains a symbol of expertly grown, hand-picked delight. The meticulous process, from the Rogue Valley orchard to the customer's table, is the final secret that keeps this fruit world-famous and in high demand every season.