A type of small pear variety, especially one with a flavor reminiscent of fennel.
From French fenouillet, derived from fenouil meaning 'fennel,' plus the diminutive suffix -et. The name refers to the pear's aromatic quality resembling fennel seed.
French fruit names often encoded flavor memories rather than just descriptions—'fenouillet' was a merchant's way of saying 'this pear smells like fennel' in an elegant, marketable way. Medieval and Renaissance gardeners used these evocative names to help people remember which varieties tasted best.
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