They look a little like a pear, and they taste... kinda similar to a pear, but drier, more tart, and a little musty. They also have astringent properties when they're raw, so moderation is important. We didn't recognize what it was when we bought the house (it was February) but when it bloomed I was pleasantly surprised! They can be used to make jam and butter, but I've always just eaten them right off the tree.