| 'Williams' pear | |
|---|---|
 The Williams pear. An 1822 print from the Horticultural Society of London | |
| Genus | Pyrus |
| Species | Pyrus communis |
| Cultivar | 'Williams' |
| Origin | Aldermaston, UK between 1765 and 1770 |
The Williams' bon chrétien pear, commonly called the Williams pear, or the Bartlett pear in the United States and Canada, is a cultivar (cultivated variety) of the species Pyrus communis, commonly known as the European pear. The fruit has a bell shape, considered the traditional pear shape in the west, and its green skin turns yellow upon later ripening, although red-skinned derivative varieties exist. It is considered a summer pear, not as tolerant of cold as some varieties. It is often eaten raw, but holds its shape well when baked, and is a common choice for canned or other processed pear uses.