Harry & David’s famous gift pears are a special strain of Comice pear, sold under the brand name “Royal Riviera” pears.

Quick Scoop

  • The pears most people think of as “Harry & David pears” are Royal Riviera pears, which are actually Comice pears originally from France.
  • Royal Riviera pears are known for being extremely sweet, very juicy, and having a buttery, almost non-grainy texture.
  • Harry & David grow these Comice pears in southern Oregon, where the climate and soil are particularly well-suited to this variety.

What kind of pears are they?

  • Royal Riviera pears are an heirloom type of Comice pear (also called Doyenné du Comice) that Harry & David popularized as their signature fruit.
  • Comice pears are often considered among the best-tasting pears available, prized for eating fresh, pairing with cheese, or using in salads.

Why they’re considered special

  • Compared with common Bartlett or Anjou pears, Comice/Royal Riviera pears are less widely grown and marketed as a premium holiday or gift pear.
  • Their combination of sweetness, juiciness, and smooth texture is a key reason Harry & David built much of their gift business around them.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.