Apple Season in the Northwest

The naturally warm sunny climate of the Okanogan Country of Washington makes it possible for farmers to grow some of the best quality fruit and produce available anywhere in the world. This includes apples grown by the Okanogan Producers Marketing Association (OPMA), which we are happy to be offering right now!

Founded in 2006, OPMA is a co-op of five small farms working together, sharing resources, equipment, knowledge, expertise, marketing and sales. We value our relationship with these hard-working Washington growers and are proud to bring the fruits of their labors to you!

Here is a tasting guide to some of the apples we have from OPMA and other farms right now, with information courtesy of Orange Pippin and Cook's Info:

 

Cox's Orange Pippin: This is the classic English apple, often regarded as the finest of all dessert apples, with a relatively pronounced and complex "aromatic" flavor. 

 

 

 

Cortland: One of the more successful McIntosh offspring, with all the usual characteristics, including the sweet vinous flavor. Excellent for apple pie and caramel apples.

 

 

 

Elstar: A popular easy-eating dessert apple, the flavor can be more intense than other Golden Delicious offspring.  It retains the appealing sweetness but with a good balance of acidity.

 

 

 

Fuji:  Crisp and juicy, with dull white flesh which snaps cleanly. The flavor is predominantly sweet, very refreshing (especially if slightly chilled).

 

 

 

Gala:  A reliable easy-eating apple, Gala is hard to beat. The white flesh is crisp, with a balanced sweet/tart taste. 

 

 

 

Granny Smith: Versatile for cooking and eating, with a crunch and a very sharp taste. However, served slightly chilled it can also be very refreshing, and works well in salads.  

 

 

 

Honeycrisp: As its name suggests this is a crisp/crunchy apple.  However, since the flesh is quite light, the crunch is surprisingly soft. The flavor is sweet with very little trace of acidity. 

 

 

 

Jonamac: Medium size, firm fruit with 90% dark red color over greenish background. Flesh firm, crisp, high quality with a flavor similar to McIntosh.

 

 

 

King David: Inside they have crisp, juicy, firm yellow flesh, with a sharp, slightly sweet taste. Some detect a hint of spice in the taste.

 

 

 

McIntosh: The flavor is simple and direct, generally sweet but with refreshing acidity.  Typified by attractive dark red or crimson colours, and a crunchy bite, often with bright white flesh.

 

 

 

Nickajack: This apple has firm, coarse-grained, crisp, juicy off-white flesh, slightly green under the skin. It is aromatic, with a brisk, sweet flavor

 

 

 

It's also pear season! Check out our pear tasting guide with recipes.

 

 

Date: Wednesday September 26, 2018

Category: In The Co-op

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