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Ginger Gold apple

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Ginger Gold

Ginger Gold was discovered as a chance seedling growing near a Golden Delicious orchard in Virginia in the 1960s.  The color, shape, and distinctive long stalk all identify it as a relation of Golden Delicious, yet it has a much earlier season - ripening in mid/late August.  Unusually for an early apple, but again reflecting a Golden Delicious parentage, it is a good keeper and will last several weeks in the fridge.

The flavor is fairly mild, and a bit sharper than Golden Delicious but still sweet for an early variety.  It is equally good for eating fresh or processing.

Ginger Gold is generally considered one of the best early-season apples.

Ginger Gold apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Ginger Gold
  • Ginger Gold

USDA identification images for Ginger Gold

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 17 Sep 2024 
      the Ginger gold apple is very hard in comparison to golden delicious and also not as sweet. Might be good for cooking. Very disappointed in the ginger gold apple.
    • 09 Sep 2019  MONTANA, United States
      Wondering if it is a cross of a Transparent and Yellow Delicious? Reminds me of the wonderful Transparent apple my parents had in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana
    • 05 Sep 2019  CT, United States
      Decent snap, quite crunchery, though not as sweet as other apples currently available tote was cheap though
    • 29 Aug 2018  PA, United States
      Bought some at a farmstand in Lancaster, Pa. Very disappointing. Too soft, bland taste. Probably been sitting around for a while.
    • 29 Sep 2017  United States
      Best apple ever. really gonna miss this guy. tastes so good.
    • 12 Nov 2016  PENNSYLVANIA, United States
      Love this apple. Tart-sweet & crunchy. Delicious.
    • 23 Oct 2015  PA, United States
      This apple is cruchy, good texture but I did not like the taste, too much like a granny smith.
    • 16 Sep 2015  Canada
      One of the best apples I have had. I bought them from an orchard in Prince Edward County. I used them for eating and cooking and found them to be very flavourful and versatile.
    • 18 Aug 2015  NC, United States
      I just bought some of these directly from their point of origin, Nelson County, VA, from the Apple Shed. Unbelievably good! I wish I had bought a few bushels!
    • 12 Oct 2014  KANSAS, United States
      Here in N central Kansas the ginger gold which I found at my local grocery were mushy, pretty much tasteless and past their prime for eating. They were so pretty to look at, but a disappointment from the first bite.
    • 23 Sep 2013  NY-NEW YORK, United States
      First time that we tasted this apple we were hooked. Crisp/sweet and a bit of tang make it a great eating apple. My wife is a fantastic cook and she made an apple pie using these apples as an experiment. Well the pie turned out great, the apples did not fall and the pie was perfect. No excessive water came out of the apples. Although we couldn't find anyone who recommended this variety for pie making, it works great.
    • 17 Sep 2013  AZ, United States
      Wonderful taste, but I like a crisp apple and Ginger Golds aren't, at least in Phoenix. I've found all apples to be a bit mushier here than when I lived in PA, but even in the best circumstances, these would be too mushy for my taste.
    • 15 Sep 2013  ONTARIO, Canada
      Just bought some of these from a local orchard. My mom (who doesn't usually like fruit) loves it. The apple is super juicy and crisp like honey crisp. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes granny smith (ick), because it has similar tartness but it's infinitely tastier. They're also very pretty. :) Can't comment on grocery store ones or on how long they keep - we won't have ours for long!
    • 22 Oct 2012  NY, United States
      I live in upstate NY "apple country", so I've grown up spoiled with some of the best apples in the world. I used tob be a huge MacIntosh and Macoun fan, but after my first taste of Ginger Gold, I am hooked. They are available fresh much earlier than other varieties, and they keep well. Sweet, not too soft, wonderful texture.
    • 09 Sep 2012  MA, United States
      There's a pick-your-own orchard near here that grows these. Once I tasted them, I pawned all the apples I'd already picked off on others, and filled my bag with these. Storebought versions of them just aren't the same. The finest apple I've had the opportunity to eat.
    • 16 Jan 2011  NW VA, United States
      Delicious and beautiful pale yellow apple with fine grained crispy white flesh. Wonderful acidic kick, probably from its Pippin heritage. Glad Costco carries them from PA when in season - addictive.

    Tree register

    United States

    Canada

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2020 season

    • 24th April  2020  - tree owned by Steven in Turney, United States

    2015 season

    • 5th May  2015  - tree owned by Susan in Fitchburg, United States

    2014 season

    • 17th May  2014  - tree owned by Cora in Roxbury, United States

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2015 season

    • September  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States
    • August  2015  - tree owned by Susan in Fitchburg, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Possibly Golden Delicious and Albemarle Pippin
    • Originates from: Nelson County, Virginia, United States
    • Introduced: 1960s
    • Developed by: Ginger Harvey

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
    • Flower colour: Pink - light
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Under-rated
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Very early
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
    • Flavour quality: Good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: early August
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Precocity: Precocious
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good
    • Fire blight: Some susceptibility
    • Cedar apple rust: Very susceptible

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Ginger Gold apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Ginger Gold:

    United States


    Canada




    References

    • Cedar-Apple Rust  
      Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
      Rated as highly susceptible - control always needed where CAR is prevalent.
    • Apples for the 21st Century
      Author: Manhart

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