An early-season English apple, with very similar qualities to one of its parents, Worcester Pearmain.
USDA identification images for Opal (Seabrook)
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
- Rival (parent)
- Worcester Pearmain (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 26 Nov 2024I received this apple in a fruit box which our office get every week. The apple was okay, nothing to write home about. I would prefer a Pink Lady or perhaps a Gala apple over this one. I would not reach for this again. I think I am slightly put off by the yellow-ness
- 28 Feb 2021 ESSEX, United KingdomJust to say Lidl are selling Opal which gave me a chance to try them. They looked like Golden Delicious so I was prepared to be disappointed but they are lovely - a decent size, extremely juicy with just the right amount of tartness to give flavour. A good apple. I’m going back to buy more while they still stock them! Unfortunately no grower info apart from the fact they are British Apples Red Tractor 73/78 mm
Tree register
We don't have any registered trees for this variety yet. If you have a Opal (Seabrook) tree you can register it here.
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Rival x Worcester Pearmain
- Originates from: Essex, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1936
- Developed by: W.P. Seabrook
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1936-027
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
Using
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Food uses: Eating fresh
Growing
- Flowering group: 3
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.