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Apple varieties

Ginger Gold

The first golden apple of the season.

Ginger Gold apple

Ginger Gold apples

Ginger Gold is one of the first apples of the year, a crisp, juicy yellow apple that shows up in stores in late summer. Its flesh is slow to brown once cut.

Grower Clyde Harvey found the tree in 1969 in a Virginia orchard that had been flooded by Hurricane Camille. It was growing among Winesap trees but bore yellow fruit, and he named it after his wife, Frances "Ginger" Harvey.

Ginger Gold at a glance

Origin
Nelson County, Virginia
Introduced
Discovered in 1969
Parents
Chance seedling, likely Golden Delicious x Albemarle Pippin
Skin
Pale yellow-green to gold
Flesh
Cream, crisp, juicy, slow to brown
Licensed variety
No

What Ginger Gold tastes like

Sweet with a light tang and crisp, juicy, cream-colored flesh. It tastes fresh and bright, like an early-season Golden Delicious.

  • Sweet

  • Tart

  • Crunch

  • Juicy

Best ways to use Ginger Gold

Ginger Gold works for sauce and quick bakes, but it softens more than late-season baking apples, so it shines most fresh and in salads.

  • Fresh eating

    Excellent

  • Salads and cheese boards

    Excellent

  • Baking and pies

    Good

  • Sauce and apple butter

    Excellent

  • Cider and juice

    Fair

When Ginger Gold is in season

Harvest

August

In stores

Late summer into fall

Ginger Gold is best eaten within a few weeks. Keep it in the refrigerator to hold its crunch.

Common questions about Ginger Gold

What does Ginger Gold taste like?

Sweet with a light tang and crisp, juicy, cream-colored flesh. It tastes fresh and bright, like an early-season Golden Delicious.

Is Ginger Gold good for baking?

Ginger Gold works for sauce and quick bakes, but it softens more than late-season baking apples, so it shines most fresh and in salads.

When is Ginger Gold in season?

Ginger Gold is harvested in August and is usually in stores late summer into fall.

How should I store Ginger Gold apples?

Ginger Gold is best eaten within a few weeks. Keep it in the refrigerator to hold its crunch.

Is Ginger Gold a licensed apple?

No. Ginger Gold is an open variety, so any grower can plant it.