Golden Delicious Apple
Andrew Mullins discovered a unique and mysterious sight blooming among his apple orchards in 1905. A bumper crop of golden fruit shone from the boughs of a tree which Mullins knew he had not planted. Mullins watched for the next nine years as this remarkable tree produced it's delectable fruit--even during seasons when other trees did not. He finally took some samples of this large yellow apple (simply named "Mullins' Yellow Seedling") to Stark Brothers Nursery in 1914. Possibly a chance seedling from Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette, Stark Brothers bought propagation rights and re-named the apple "Golden Delicious," as a companion to its Red Delicious (though the two varieties are not genetically related).
The dry, warm climate of Eastern Washington is perfect for this delicate yellow beauty. They are harvested in September and available all year.
Great for both fresh-eating and in salads (because the flesh stays white longer), Golden Delicious maintains a rich taste when baked or cooked in apple sauces, apple butter, or apple pies. They are also considered one of the best choices for apple cider.
