Availability varies — please call or email to confirm.
syn: Yellow Delicious, Early Golden, Annit Apple
Apple Golden Delicious
$50.00
Golden Delicious apples are a versatile, sweet, and crisp variety discovered in West Virginia in the late 19th century. Known for their bright yellow skin, fine-grained white flesh, and balanced honey-like flavor, they are highly favored for both fresh eating and baking.
The Golden Delicious is a medium-to-large, conical to round-conic apple with a smooth, bright yellow-green skin, sometimes featuring a soft red blush on the sun-exposed side. The skin is thin and tender (often unnecessary to peel) but can develop russeting in cooler, wetter climates. The flesh is crisp, aqueous, and ivory-white with a mild, sweet, and aromatic flavor that carries distinct notes of honey. Because they are high in sugar, acidity, and natural pectin, they are excellent for baking apple pies and making applesauce. They are highly valued by growers for their ability to store for long periods without losing quality.
Climate & Soil: Thrives in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. They are heat-tolerant and cold-hardy, requiring about 600 to 700 chill hours.
Pollination: These trees are partially self-fertile, meaning they will produce fruit alone, but yields are significantly improved by planting cross-pollination partners nearby (e.g., Fuji, Gala, or Red Delicious). They are also excellent pollinators for other trees.
Maintenance: They are heavy, regular croppers. Fruit thinning is essential in early summer to prevent the tree from overbearing (biennial bearing) and to avoid fruit drop.
Harvest: Harvest occurs mid-to-late in the season (March in New Zealand, September/October in the Northern Hemisphere). Ensure they are tree-ripened to avoid a bland flavor.
