According to the official opal apple webpage, the apples are a cross between Golden Delicious and Topaz. They were discovered in 1999, tested in 63 orchards throughout Europe and the Mediterranean for 12 years, and introduced to the US market in 2010.
Opal® apples are a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while reducing inflammation and copper to build connective tissues.
Opal is a modern apple derived from Golden Delicious, and developed in the Czech Republic, with a pleasant well-balanced flavor. It's other parent is Topaz, a well-respected variety also developed in the Czech Republic, which imparts its more tart flavor to the sweet crispness of Golden Delicious.
Non-GMO. Opal® apples are Non-GMO Project verified. They are the first U.S. apple variety to be verified by the Non-GMO Project, the only independent verification in North America for non-GMO food.
Like other apples, the Opal apple contains vitamins and minerals necessary for good health. The fruit contains fiber and is a relatively low-calorie food.
Red Delicious
According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, certain compounds (polyphenolic) found in apples may play a big role in human health. Studies show that Red Delicious apples are higher in these compounds than many other types and the vast majority of nutrition lies in the skin of the apple.
The white flesh underneath is crisp and juicy, with a resounding crunch, similar to a Honeycrisp. Flavor-wise, it's quite sweet and slightly floral. I picked up notes of pear, coconut, and banana candy (Runts, in particular).
The reason Opal apples don't turn brown is because they have lower levels of the enzyme that causes the flesh of apples to change color when exposed to oxygen.
Opal apples are grown exclusively at FirstFruits Farms in Southeastern Washington State. This is the only orchard in the United States that grows Opals, making this variety extremely unique!
The original headline read “McDonald's, Gerber Reject GMO Apple.” Both fast-food giant McDonald's and leading baby-food manufacturer Gerber have announced that they do not plan to sell or use the “Arctic” apple, the first genetically engineered apple with an application pending at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Much of the world's precious opal is mined in the harsh outback of Australia, where a unique combination of geological conditions permitted the formation of opal near the margins of an ancient inland sea. Australia is regarded as the world's leading source of opal and of the world's finest opal.
If you think about the apples that you can find frequently at a grocery store, the top sweet apple is Fuji. The sugar levels in a Fuji apple range from 15-18 on average (remember, an apple is mostly made up of water).
Opal apples' sunny yellow color reflects its flavor: bright and pleasantly tart. The apple's skin isn't waxy and comes off easily when you bite into the fruit (no need to remove the skin if you're giving it to your kids). The flesh is crisp. Every bite is a satisfying crunch of sweet and tart.
Opal Apple
It has a soft, yet crisp flesh with a sweet taste and a slightly tart finish. Their crisp texture holds up well in pies, tarts, cakes and muffins.
It has a bright yellow skin, may be grown through organic or conventional methods of cultivation, and can be purchased for anywhere from $0.99 to $2.99 per pound. The season for Opal Apples begins in November and lasts all the way through June.
Buy your favorite Opal Apples online with Instacart. Order Opal Apples from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
Opal® apples are available from November through June each year and grown in limited acreage so once it's gone for the season - it's gone.
Of all the opal types, Australian black opal is the rarest and the most coveted among precious stone collectors. But even with all the knowledge we have of opal formation and play-of-colour, there's still much to learn and rediscover about this remarkably iridescent gem.
Believe it or not, Opal apples are actually very similar to other kinds of apples. Apples are packed with amazing health benefits: weight loss, heart protection, lowering your risk for diabetes, and many more.
Yes, you most certainly can! If you find yourself with a large surplus of apples, freezing them might a good option for you. Having a stash of frozen apples makes it extra easy to throw them into baked goods or smoothies.
All apples make a great snack, but tart Granny Smith apples are the best for weight loss. They have a higher concentration of fiber compared to other popular apples, like Gala, McIntosh and Golden Delicious. Just don't expect the same benefits in cooked apples—heating the apples can destroy some of the nutrients.
Granny Smith apples tend to have the least sugar. However, fruits such as apples also contain healthy amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A person can eat any type of apple as part of a healthy and balanced diet.