The comprehensive resource for apples and orchards

Opalescent apple

A popular large New England apple, sweet, crunchy, juicy, hint of strawberries - a well-flavoured apple.


 

Last updated 09 Jan 2011.

Summary

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Unknown
  • Origin: United States
  • Introduced: 1880s
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 117200

Growing

  • Flowering period: Mid season
  • Flowering group: 3
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: No

Relationships to other varieties

Offspring of this variety:

Opalescent identification photos from official fruit collections


UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Opalescent identification photos from website visitors


Opalescent apple tape


Opalescent apple


Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: out of 5. Total votes cast: 0
 

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

16 Mar 2012 Brian BakerMAINE, United States
Most years FEDCO of Maine sells Opalescent apple trees
08 Nov 2010 MitchOREGON, United States
RObin, this man, Ram Fishman sells opalescent apples. A real expert on apples, and fruit in general. http://www.greenmantlenursery.com/2008revision/fruit2008/antique-fruit2008.htm
06 Jul 2010 Robin King HuntTX, United States
I grew up in Cayuga Co., NY and moved to Texas years ago-and have never been able to find opalescents anywhere. Picked them at an orchard as a kid-and loved them. Anyone willing to ship me some this fall? My whole family misses them!
03 Nov 2009 Bob TimmsWILMINGTON NC, United States
When I was working in the Waldorph Cafeteria in Waterbury CT back in 1962 we served these Baked. It was a yearly big event to have these arrive. They are THE BEST apple for baking.
20 Sep 2009 HeatherMILLBURY,MA, United States
Keown Orchard in Sutton, MA has opalescent apples for pick your own and also to be shipped anywhere in the US. Just wanted to let you know
26 Oct 2008 Frank J CroceSEATTLE WA, United States
Growing up in Connecticut, my Grandfather would "sneak" off and buy a huge basket of these beauties and would never divulge where he bought them. Now that he has passed on nobody in my family can find any place that sells them. If anyone knows where I can order some I'd be Extremely Grateful for the information, plus it would make my 92 year old Grandmother Very Happy and be flooded with cherished memories. Thank You all
04 Oct 2008 AdamARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, United States
I had one of these handsome apples for the first time last month. They are big and hearty in the hand but the flavor is complex with many delicate touches--hints of lilac and other floral notes. I wish I'd gotten more, but suppose will have to wait until next year. Theres a photo of Opalescent at http://adamapples.blogspot.com/2008/09/opalescent.html
01 Oct 2008 StevenNORTH SMITHFIELD, RI, United States
What a great apple! i just bought my first sack at my neighbor's farmstand If you're looking for it, right now they have it at Goodwin's Farm on Rt104 at Rt 5 in North Smithfield, RI
30 Sep 2008 MariaNEW JERSEY, United States
I used to be able to pick these apples right from the trees in an orchard near where I grew up in Bergen County. Up until a couple of years ago, I was able to find them at some of the local farmstands. I have not found them since and would LOVE it if someone could tell me where I might find them. They are absolutely the BEST apples I have ever, ever tasted and I am sad to think that I might not ever have another. My friend and I always search for them but between the two of us, we haven't found any the last two seasons. If anyone can help it would be very much appreciated.
16 Aug 2008 PaulineNORTHWEST INDIANA, , United States
I came across the Opalescent Apple at the farmer's markets of Rhode Island when I lived there in the late 1980s-early 1990s. The first one I ate was amazing. After reading the comments, I remember that they were pretty big apples. But the taste was something to remember. I think I remember the growers telling me that they do not travel well. I thought it was strictly local fruit and I am very happy to hear that it exists.
04 Nov 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
Hi in 2002 our “Heritage Fruits Group” voted Opalescent the best looking apple in our heritage apple collection at “Petty’s Orchard” in Victoria, Australia. We found the taste to be superb due to its ripeness, but it held poorly off the tree for the same reason since then we have picked it earlier and it is on our top 6 apples we recommend at our yearly grafting days.
03 Aug 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
I have eaten and greatly enjoyed this apple – I can’t get it anymore, since I have moved away from New England to Ontario, Canada. Its flavour reminds me of Mutsu/Crispin. It is the largest apple I have ever seen…the first year I got them, the average circumference was 12-14"!! I have used it fresh (for eating) and have dehydrated it. I found it to brown fairly slowly, so it produced attractive dried apple rings, without addition of citric/ascorbic acid. I believe I made frozen pie filling with it as well.

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The following Opalescent trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.

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United States



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