Are you ready to embark on a fascinating journey into the world of apples? In this detailed comparison article, we will delve into the exciting debate between two popular apple varieties: Golden Delicious. These apples have long captivated fruit enthusiasts, but what sets them apart? Join us as we peel back the layers and immerse ourselves in captivating details.
Apples are not just a tasty snack; they have a rich history and unique features that make them intriguing. Whether you’re an apple lover or simply curious about the differences between these iconic varieties, this article will provide all the exciting details. So sit down, sharpen your taste buds, and join us in exploring the world of Golden Delicious apples.
What is a Golden Delicious Apples?
Golden Delicious is a hybrid cultivar of apple. It is among the top 15 most popular apple cultivars in the United States. However, Golden Delicious does not share a close kinship with Red Delicious.
Origins and History
The Golden Delicious Apple’s story began on a humble family farm in Odessa, Clay County, West Virginia. In 1891, a 15-year-old boy named J.M. Mullins came across a new apple seedling while working in the fields. The seedling, originating from a discarded apple seed, was spared by Mullins and allowed to grow.
The seedling matured into a tree and started bearing distinctive golden yellow apples a few years later. These apples stood out from the rest in the orchard, catching the attention of Anderson Mullins, J.M.’s uncle, who assumed farm ownership. Anderson believed the tree to be an offspring of the Grimes Golden apple, another variety discovered in West Virginia in the 1800s.
Anderson noticed that these golden apples remained crisp till late spring and bore fruits when other trees didn’t. Observing these qualities, he realized that this apple should be commercialized. The apples were locally known as Mullins Yellow Seedling and Annit apple.
After nine years of observation, Anderson sent three samples of these apples to Stark Brothers Nursery in Missouri, a major commercial mail-order company, in 1914. Impressed by the variety, the Starks visited Anderson’s farm in 1916 and bought the rights to sell the apple. They also purchased the land around the mother tree for at least $5,000.
The Stark Brothers renamed the apple “Golden Delicious” and marketed it along with their other commercial apple, Red Delicious. The variety was so popular that by 1918, Stark Brothers Nursery had sold out of their Golden Delicious apples before they even arrived at the market.
Prominent figures like plant breeder Luther Burbank and Kellogg’s founder, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, endorsed Golden Delicious apples. Kellogg described it as “the finest apple I have ever tasted.”
Golden Delicious apples skyrocketed in popularity during the 1920s and became one of the most successful commercial varieties. The variety was shared internationally and grown in orchards worldwide. Despite losing some popularity towards the end of the 20th century due to newer apple varieties with enhanced flavor and appearance, Golden Delicious apples remain well-known and cultivated globally today. They’re available at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, and distributors and are grown in home gardens across Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, and North America.
Description and Taste of Golden Delicious Apple
Golden Delicious apples are known for their small to medium size, usually measuring 5 to 8 centimeters in diameter. Their physical appearance is characterized by a round or conical shape with broad, flat shoulders that taper towards a wide base. Some distinct features include:
- Slight ribbing and smooth, thin flesh with a textured brown russet near the stem.
- A skin color that ranges from golden-yellow to bright yellow, which can sometimes have green tinges or pale pink-red blush patches.
- Prominent lenticels (tiny pores) cover the apple’s surface, but the thin skin can be easily bruised or shriveled.
- Underneath the surface, the flesh varies from white to ivory and is fine-grained, watery, and semi-firm. It’s crisp yet tender and soft.
- The flesh surrounds a small core containing tiny dark brown seeds.
In terms of flavor, Golden Delicious apples have a subtle aroma and a balanced blend of sweetness and acidity. The taste is mellow, sweet, and tangy with floral, honeyed, and fruity undertones. It’s interesting to note that the apple’s flavor changes based on the climate in which it is grown:
- In cooler temperatures, the flavor becomes slightly more robust, resulting in a sweeter and more acidic taste.
- In contrast, apples grown in warmer temperatures have a milder flavor due to reduced acid content.
When are Golden Delicious Apples in season?
‘Golden Delicious‘ apples, primarily known as winter apples, offer a sweet taste that can be harvested from September to October. Interestingly, they aren’t harvested when fully ripe. Instead, they ripen while in storage, reaching their peak flavor from October to March.
Their storage requires a cool, dry, and dark environment. This could be in a pantry or cellar neatly packed in boxes. If stored properly, ‘Golden Delicious’ apples can keep their freshness until March, providing you with a sweet treat for months.
Key Points: Harvesting and Using ‘Golden Delicious’
- Harvest Time: End of September to October
- Ideal Harvest State: When the skin transitions from green to yellow
- Peak Flavor: October to March
- Storage Conditions: Cool, dry, and dark place
- Culinary Uses: Versatile use as a dessert apple, in apple puree, juice, or even fruit brandy
Golden Delicious Apples Nutrition
Golden Delicious apples are nutrient-rich powerhouses, offering a wealth of health benefits. These apples are packed with potassium, which helps maintain fluid balance in the body. They are also rich in fiber, aiding in digestion and promoting gut health. Vitamin C, another essential nutrient in these apples, bolsters the immune system and reduces inflammation.
But that’s not all. Golden Delicious apples also contain traces of copper, essential for developing connective tissues, and magnesium, vital for optimal nerve function. They also offer a variety of other essential nutrients, such as iron, vitamin K, vitamin E, calcium, and zinc.
| Nutrition Facts | Serving Size: 1 medium (169g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 96 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0.25g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat –g | –% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol –mg | –% |
| Sodium 3.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 23g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.1g | 14% |
| Total Sugars 17g | 34% |
| Includes –g Added Sugars | –% |
| Protein 0.47g | 1% |
| Vitamin C –mg | –% |
| Vitamin D –mcg | –% |
| Iron 0.22mg | 1% |
| Calcium 10.1mg | 1% |
| Potassium 169mg | 4% |
| Phosphorus 16.9mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the nutritional content found in a serving of Golden Delicious apples:
Fiber: 3.6g (12% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Promotes healthy bowel function and may protect against heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Vitamin C: 6.9mg (7% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Protects cellular health, supports the immune system, contributes to skin, blood vessels, bones, and organ health, and reduces tiredness and fatigue.
Vitamin B6: 0.077mg (5% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Supports immune system, mental health, and blood health; reduces tiredness and fatigue; supports healthy hair.
Copper: 0.045mg (4% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Protects cells from damaging free radicals, contributes to energy creation, and supports the immune and nervous systems.
Potassium: 150mg (4% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Aids in maintaining normal blood pressure, supports nervous system function, and proper muscle work.
Magnesium: 7.5mg (3% of your recommended daily intake)
- Benefits: Helps reduce tiredness and fatigue and supports healthy cell division, muscles, bones, teeth, nervous system, and mental health.
What to make with Golden Delicious Apples?
Golden Delicious apples are a versatile fruit with a sweet yet subtly tart flavor that can be enjoyed raw and cooked. They are particularly favored for their slow-browning flesh, which makes them an excellent choice for various dishes.
Fresh Preparations
- Enjoy them straight out of hand for a quick, healthy snack.
- Slice and toss them into salads for a refreshing crunch.
- Chop and mix into fruit medleys or shred into slaws for a tangy twist.
- Mince them to add depth to dips, grain side dishes, and spreads.
- Layer them in cold and hot sandwiches or add to burgers for a sweet crunch.
Cooked and Baked Dishes
- Thanks to their high sugar and acidity, Golden Delicious apples are suitable for cooked and baked preparations.
- Their natural sweetness allows you to use less sugar in pie, cake, and bread recipes.
- Slice and bake into tarts, crisps, galettes, and crumbles.
- Simmer them into applesauce, butter, jellies, jams, or even cook into soups.
- Sauté in cinnamon and spices to serve as a rich topping over ice cream.
Other Uses
- Press them into juice for ciders, cocktails, and sparkling beverages, or dry them into rings and strips for extended use.
- Golden Delicious apples pair well with herbs such as mint, basil, sage, and rosemary and ingredients like vanilla, chocolate, maple syrup, honey, and brown sugar. They also match perfectly with walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans.
- When it comes to storage, unwashed Golden Delicious apples can last for several weeks in a cool, dry, or dark place. With proper cold storage, these apples can keep fresh for up to five months.
Difference between Yellow Delicious Apple, Granny Smith Apples and Golden Delicious Apples
| Apple Variety | Size and Shape | Skin Color | Flavor | Flesh | Ideal Use | Harvest Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Delicious Apples | Large and conical | Bright yellow, sometimes with a green tint | Sweet, rich, and mellow | Crisp and juicy | Snacking and cooking | Late September to October |
| Granny Smith Apples | Medium to large, round shape | Vibrant green, speckled with faint white spots | Tart, acidic, slightly sweet | Hard, crisp, and juicy | Baking, cooking, or eating fresh | October to November |
| Golden Delicious Apples | Medium-sized, oblong or conic | Varies from green to golden yellow | Sweet and mild | Firm, crisp, and juicy | Eating fresh, baking, salads | Mid to late September |
Tips for Choosing Golden Delicious Apples:
- Look for apples that are firm to the touch. They should not have any soft spots or bruises.
- The skin should be smooth and shiny, not wrinkled.
- The color of Golden Delicious apples can range from green to yellow. A more yellow color signifies a sweeter apple.
- The apple should feel heavy for its size. This indicates that it is juicy and not dried out.
- Smell the apple. It should have a fresh aroma. If it doesn’t have any scent, it may not have much taste.
How to Preserve Fresh Golden Delicious Apples:
- Please keep them in a cool, dark place: Apples last longer when stored in an excellent location, like a basement or garage. If these are not available, you can keep them in the refrigerator.
- Wait to wash apples until you are ready to use them: Washing apples removes the protective coating and can speed up the spoiling process.
- Store apples separately: Apples emit ethylene gas, which can cause other fruits and vegetables to ripen and spoil faster.
- Use airtight containers or bags: If you have cut an apple and want to store it, put it in an airtight container or sealable bag to prevent oxidation.
- If you have many apples and want to preserve them for extended periods, consider processing methods like canning, freezing, or drying. Remember to wash the apples thoroughly before processing.
Where to buy Golden Delicious Apples near me?
Craving the crisp, sweet flavor of Golden Delicious Apples? Look no further than Farm to Palm supermarket! Conveniently located near you, we offer the freshest and finest apples in town.
But if you can’t make it to our store, don’t worry. You can download our app from your app store and place an order. With just a few taps, those juicy Golden Delicious Apples will go to your doorstep. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity—shop at Farm to Palm today!