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The Reason Our Pears Are Wrapped in Gold
There's more to it than just being better than silver or bronze.
Sep 18, 2025
When you open a box of Royal Riviera Pears, you know you've unwrapped something extraordinary. These sought-after pears are beautiful, and when they're perfectly lined up and packed in their box, they resemble something you would see in the produce section of your grocery store. There's just one issue with this: You cannot find these pears in a grocery store.
When you open a box of Royal Riviera Pears, you see large, sun-kissed fruit with flawless skin. And for over 90 years, every box has contained a single pear wrapped in gold.
The tradition of wrapping pears in gold started back in 1934. When brothers Harry and David Rosenberg started sending residents on the East Coast delicious pears as holiday gifts, they knew an extra touch was needed to convey the royalty of this decadent fruit. So in each box, one pear was wrapped in shining gold foil, turning what may seem like a beautiful pear at first glance into a treat fit for a king (they are Royal Riviera Pears after all).
READ MORE: What Kind of Pear Is a Royal Riviera Pear?
These buttery, juicy pears quickly became a holiday tradition for families across the United States. Even though the pears were sweet, succulent, and better than most found in a grocery store, it was that one gold pear that created a celebration in every household.
Some people go for the gold-wrapped one first, while some save it for last. There's no wrong way, but ask around. You'll hear stories that it's the best-tasting pear in the box or that it will bring good luck to whoever opens and eats it. Over the years, we've heard every tradition you can imagine. One woman sent us a letter that fondly described her childhood Christmases when her grandfather would give each child a gold-wrapped pear with a crisp $10 bill.
For over 90 years, Harry & David wrapped the pears in gold and delivered a special moment to families across the country. It's one of the founders' traditions we love the most, and we think they'd be happy to know it's alive and well all these years later.
AUTHOR
Autumn Micketti is the Assistant Manager of SEO & Content for 1-800-Flowers. Her love of music has found her writing articles for SPIN, The Siskiyou, and The Verse, and interviewing small and large artists like Mumford & Sons, Maroon 5, and The Weepies. When she's not writing about love songs or Oregold® Peaches, you can find her exploring mountains, listening to the latest album release of her current musical obsession, DJing local events, or spending time with her extended family.
