Washington Golden Delicious

 

 Golden Delicious 

Available as:

Stemilt & Artisan Organics

Facts of Interest: This popular variety was discovered as a chance seedling growing on the Mullins’ farm in Clay County, West Virginia around 1900. The Stark Brothers Nursery introduced the apple commercially in 1916 as a companion to the Red Delicious even though the two varieties are not related.


The parentage of the apple is unclear. Many people speculate the chance seedling can be traced to the Golden Reinette and the Grimes golden. Today there are several golden-like chance seedling varieties in existence, including Ginger Gold, Earligold, and Lucky Rose. This mellow, sweet apple thrives in the dry, warm climate of Eastern Washington. It is perfect for many uses, especially baking and fresh eating.

To select a good-quality Golden Delicious, look for a Washington apple with firm, smooth, clean skin that ranges in color from light green to pale or creamy yellow. Some Goldens may have a wash of pink color or blush across the “shoulders,” the result of warm, sunny, Eastern Washington days and cool summer nights.

Apples 

Characteristics

Appearance:
Yellow, sometimes with a bright pink blush if cool nights precede harvest

 

Texture & Firmness:
Fine, smooth, and crisp

 

Internal Character:
White or buff-colored

 

Flavor:
Mellow & sweet
  
Shape:
Conical and uniform

 

Size:
Medium to large

 

Uses:
Excellent for pies, sauce, and baking; Great for fresh eating


Artisan Organics is Stemilt Growers’ banner for organic tree fruits. This label adorns all packaging and price look-up stickers on Stemilt’s organic apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruits.

We began major investments in organic tree fruit production back in 1989. That’s when Stemilt founder Tom Mathison launched his Responsible Choice program, urging growers and company managers to look for ways to conserve natural resources and reduce synthetic materials in all our growing and packing operations.

Since that year, Stemilt has become a national leader in organic tree fruit production and packing:

• Artisan Organics are grown with tree and soil balance in mind.
• Natural tree and soil balance encourages the orchards’ innate defenses, creating tastier fruit that needs no synthetic fertilizers.
• Artisan Organics are farmed 100% organically so there is no residue on the fruit.
• Artisan Organics come from modern orchards that use the latest growing and harvesting techniques.

Stemilt’s Artisan Organics are grown with extreme care. See and taste the difference that our natural farming methods produce.

Check out our Organic Leader page to learn how we grow and pack organic fruit and what makes Stemilt a standout in the organic field!

Stemilt’s World Famous apples are terrific for many reasons. The first is the area’s perfect conditions for producing apples. Central Washington has the sunny days, cool nights, plentiful water, and nutrient-rich soils that apples need to be super-flavorful. But that’s not the only reason Stemilt’s apples are great.

Generations of apple-growing expertise and endless quality checks have produced only the best fruit. Tom Mathison, Stemilt’s founder, has made sure that flavor comes first when it comes to Stemilt apples. Today, Stemilt’s field advisors also work hand-in-hand with growers so every apple meets Tom’s strict flavor expectations. Look for Stemilt’s Artisan Organics apples too. They’re naturally-farmed to perfection!

 

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Resources

MoreMatters.org

 

 

 

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