La Nouvelle République today carries a report on the AGM of the Museum of the Poire Tapée in Rivarennes, a small town about 10 kilometres north-west of Azay-le-Rideau.
Poires tapées or dried and compressed pears are a traditional speciality of this part of Touraine. The hey-day of production was in the second half of the 19th century and into the early part of the 20th century. Subsequently the poire tapée trade declined rapidly and virtually disappeared but has recently been revived, albeit on a much reduced scale. It was a way of preserving pears and also apples, which can be treated in the same way.
Poires tapées or dried and compressed pears are a traditional speciality of this part of Touraine. The hey-day of production was in the second half of the 19th century and into the early part of the 20th century. Subsequently the poire tapée trade declined rapidly and virtually disappeared but has recently been revived, albeit on a much reduced scale. It was a way of preserving pears and also apples, which can be treated in the same way.
The pears or apples are cored, dried in ovens for four days and then squashed flat. They can be served as an accompaniment at various stages of the meal from first course through to dessert.
As well as the site for the museum, there is also a reasonably informative site: Poires Tapées à l'Ancienne, run by Christine and Yves Herin, producers in Rivarennes. It would be good if their site said more about the history of the trade in its hey-day as it was obviously a very considerable local industry. I'll have to get over to see them.
Musée de la Poire Tapée, (contact: Mme Thibault)
7 Chemin de la Buronnière, 37190 Rivarennes
Téléphone : 02.47.95.47.78
Email: musee.poiretapee@wanadoo.fr
Adult: 3€
Opening hours: April to 14th June and September – 14.00-18.30 (closed Monday); 15th June to 31st August 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-18.30 (every day)
Poires Tapées à l'Ancienne
Christine & Yves Herin
14 Rue de Quincay - 37190 Rivarannes
Téléphone / Fax: 02.47. 95.45.19
E-mail: info@poirestapees.com
As well as the site for the museum, there is also a reasonably informative site: Poires Tapées à l'Ancienne, run by Christine and Yves Herin, producers in Rivarennes. It would be good if their site said more about the history of the trade in its hey-day as it was obviously a very considerable local industry. I'll have to get over to see them.
Musée de la Poire Tapée, (contact: Mme Thibault)
7 Chemin de la Buronnière, 37190 Rivarennes
Téléphone : 02.47.95.47.78
Email: musee.poiretapee@wanadoo.fr
Adult: 3€
Opening hours: April to 14th June and September – 14.00-18.30 (closed Monday); 15th June to 31st August 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-18.30 (every day)
Poires Tapées à l'Ancienne
Christine & Yves Herin
14 Rue de Quincay - 37190 Rivarannes
Téléphone / Fax: 02.47. 95.45.19
E-mail: info@poirestapees.com
4 comments:
The ones on the picture are obviously past their sell-by date. You must try some and report back.
Otherwise, I have a dehydrator which I use for mushrooms, but which can also be used for drying e.g. apple slices. I do this occasionally when we get lots of apples for free.
JT: I have tried them once or twice. I'm not sure that I felt the earth move. However, must try them again. Those pictured, as you remarked, are some 11 years past their eat-by date, still I suppose as they are dried it shouldn't matter too much. One of those times that you buy something, which seems a good idea at the time, and then it gets put in the cupboard and overlooked.
Happens to me occasionally, too: I always want to try things, but sometimes forget them when I get home.
I visited this small museum 3 years ago and I loved every single minute of it, including the old fashioned video in the barn.
We need more of these; more people passionate about their heritage.
By the way - no connection, have you seen this?
http://hlalau.skynetblogs.be/post/6830994/le-vin-rouge-stimule-la-libido-des-femmes
Post a Comment