When it comes to taste and nutrition, the Opal apple comes to everyone's mind who knows their taste. And in this article, we are going to review this fruit for you. The incredible cultivar known as the Opal Apple Tree was discovered in the 1990s by an orchardist working in the Czech Republic. Opal apples, when in season, are among the tastiest apples that are available, and their flavor and texture make them ideal for both baking and eating out of hand. Opal apples are among the tastiest apples that are available. Have you ever wondered what those golden yellow bags of apples were and why you couldn't find them in the store during the summer when you saw them there during the winter and spring? You came across some apples that were of the Opal variety. 
Opal Apples: Where They Came From Golden Delicious apples were the only yellow apples that could be found in stores not too long ago. These apples were largely disregarded because of their more tender consistency, but they were highly prized for their sweetness when used in baked goods. The Golden Delicious apple is one of the parents of the Opal apple, and the Topaz apple is the other of the Opal apple's parents. In the year 1999, a seedling of a hybrid between two yellow apple varieties was preserved in an orchard in the Czech Republic; subsequent testing was carried out in over sixty orchards across Europe. The Opal apple did not become widely stocked in grocery and convenience stores until the year 2010. Two interesting tidbits of information: First, you should be aware that the Opal apple that is sold today is not the same as the Opal apple that was popular in the 1930s. Another point to consider is that the Grimes Golden apple variety, which was the progenitor of the Golden Delicious and from which the Opal apple was developed, is still cultivated today. The Opal apple is one variety that has not been genetically modified. The apple has been subjected to natural testing and cultivation, and furthermore, the hybrid that was originally present was a hybrid that occurred naturally. 
It was the very first apple to ever receive official certification from the Non-GMO Project, stating that it did not contain any genetically modified components. If you are concerned about consuming any genetically modified organisms, you do not need to be concerned about these apples. It is not out of the ordinary to come across them in their natural state either. Those of an Opal Apple's Characteristics This apple has bright golden yellow skin, and the crisp, creamy white flesh inside is just slightly tender. The skin is a brilliant golden yellow. In most instances, a small brown spot will appear close to the stem; this phenomenon is known as russeting. It has a flavor that is both sweet and sour, making it perfect for snacking and salads. One of the most advantageous characteristics of the Opal apple is its resistance to decay. Due to the apple's low polyphenol oxidase content, it can be easily stored in the refrigerator for a few months at a time without going bad. Because this enzyme causes browning when exposed to oxygen, it is necessary to submerge cut apples in lemon juice or other liquids so that the apples do not turn brown. 
Reporters and bloggers carried out tests that were not scientific and found that a cut Opal apple did not make significantly brown even after being exposed to air for eight hours. Apples from the Golden Delicious variety begin to brown after that amount of time has passed, which is a little longer than the typical amount of time. Even though the levels of polyphenol oxidase found in various apples can vary, it is common knowledge that Opal apples are especially resistant to the browning caused by enzymes. Instructions and Advice for Planting However, if you go to a nursery, you won't be able to find an Opal Apple tree for sale. You are only able to visit one of the few orchards that are still standing in the United States at this time, and there are only a few of those in Europe as well. FirstFruits Farms, which is located in Washington state, is the only farm in the United States that cultivates Opal Apple trees and is the only farm in the world to do so. 
Even though Broetje Orchards is mentioned in some older works, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan was able to purchase it in December 2018 with the assistance of FirstFruits Marketing. The name "FirstFruits Farms" was recently given to the orchard as of recent times. It is currently unknown when the Opal Apple tree will be available for purchase in nurseries and for use in home gardens. You can brush up on your knowledge of apple tree cultivation while you wait for Opal Apples to arrive at commercial nurseries like Nature Hills. Opal Apples are expected to arrive in the fall. In addition to this, it is recommended that you look into different methods of pruning apple trees. Insects and other Creatures that Affect Opal Apple Trees The disease resistance that Opal Apple trees are known for is another valuable trait. These trees are generally quite resilient and are able to ward off diseases and pests, despite the fact that they may experience problems every once in a while. If they take good care of the tree, homeowners won't have to worry about waves of pests attacking their Opal Apple trees, which means they'll have an easier time tending to the tree and won't have to spend as much time doing so. 
Opal apple taste
Now that we have reviewed the nutrition of the Opal apple let's have a look at the taste of this delicious fruit. The Opal Apple Is Put to Use in a Number of Different Ways. Raw consumption of an Opal apple, as was mentioned earlier, results in a delightful experience. It has the propensity for the sweetness of the Golden Delicious, along with the tangy undertones that come from its ancestry in the Topaz Apple. Some people have described the flavor as having hints of extremely sweet bananas, while others have said it tastes like a combination of pears and coconut. Because it doesn't turn brown as quickly as other apples, it works wonderfully in salads and other dishes that call for raw apples. It works wonderfully in salads, and other dishes where maintaining the natural color of the apples is important for the appearance of the dish. There is a wide selection of salads, including the Opal Apple Winter Salad, available for download from the Opal Apple website. This energizing salad is comprised of a variety of refreshing ingredients, including sliced opal apples, fennel, mint, and pomegranate arils. Mint's vivid green and the jewel tones of the pomegranate arils pop against the white backdrop of the fennel slices and the creamy apple pieces. If you added apple chunks to the salad, it would quickly become unappealing due to the browning process. 
The apple can still stand on its own even when combined with other flavors and ingredients, such as in Opal Apple Salsa with its purple strips of red onion and bits of green cilantro or on Opal Crostini with Honey Thyme Goat Cheese. If the apples were brown, the dish would have an aged appearance, which would raise concerns about its level of freshness. Because it holds up so well in the oven, the Opal apple is an excellent choice for baked goods such as pies, dump cakes, and apples stuffed with caramel. Try making Opal Wreaths with cored apple slices instead of eating plain apple slices by layering nut butter, dried fruit, and slivered almonds on top of the apple slices. The natural sweetness of the apple helps to counteract the bitterness of the nut butter, while the sharpness of the apple goes well with both the dried fruit and the nuts. Because it is so versatile, the Opal apple can probably be used as a substitute in any apple recipe, including the process of drying apple slices in an oven or a dehydrator. Because of its well-balanced sweetness and tartness, this apple can be used in place of Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples in any recipe that calls for those varieties. 
Opal Apples are Beneficial to Your Health in Several Respects. The Opal apple, much like other varieties, contains a wealth of nutrient-dense ingredients. The fruit is low in calories and a good source of fiber; however, it does contain some sugar. You and your family should always have a wholesome snack available to eat, so it is a good idea to wash a large quantity and keep it either in the refrigerator or on the counter in the kitchen. There is a correlation between eating apples on a regular basis and having lower levels of "bad" cholesterol, which in turn helps to protect the heart. There is no question that Opal apples also provide this health benefit. Because it undergoes only the barest minimum of processing, the Opal apple is an excellent choice for those looking for a delectable replacement for highly processed snacks and additional sugars (picking the apple off the tree counts as some processing). Due to the high fiber content, apples, along with a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables, are able to aid in the prevention of diabetes as well as a number of other diseases. It's possible that you don't give the good bacteria in your gut much of a second thought, but they play an important part in the natural defenses that your body has. 
Apple peel consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of asthma, which is an intriguing finding. However, the quercetin in the peel can help reduce inflammation, which is a factor that can contribute to asthma. Another area where quercetin and pectin fiber really shine is in the area of heart health. There is the reason for optimism based on the findings of some research conducted in the laboratory; however, additional investigation is required to determine exactly how eating apples can assist humans in managing or preventing heart disease. Where to Purchase an Opal Apple Tree Most Effectively You won't be able to purchase an Opal Apple tree this time around, either. Even if you are successful in ensuring that the flowers are pollinated, your efforts to cultivate an apple tree from seeds that you have saved from apples that you have eaten will not produce the same results. 
It is extremely unlikely that you will, and if you do, you won't be left with anything more than an additional plant. From seed, it could take several years for a tree to flower, be pollinated, and bear fruit. The first step in this procedure is to plant the seed. Unfortunately, the tree's health and fruit quality are still at risk even if fruit does develop. Many fruit trees are actually just cuttings of the desired variety grafted onto the rootstock of another variety that is known for its robust growth. This indicates that the tree that was grown from seed may be susceptible to diseases that the tree that was grown in an orchard is not. Wait until growers of Opal Apple trees make their trees available for purchase at nurseries. Review: For further information and order, feel free to contact our 24/7 online assistants via filling out an inquiry on our website.