This post is sponsored by Opals.
It might be hard to tell with the whole windblown should-have-brought-a-jacket look, but here we are! In Washington!
And this is that moment during editing of the post when you realize that your “style” is to wear the same exact color/type of clothing, adjusting only the sleeve length and material depending on location and season. Check out our profile picture.
If you can get past our fashionista ways, that’s a picture of us when we went to Washington this weekend to learn about the story and otherworldly deliciousness of the golden Opal apple.
Can you say Opal apple superfan? *points to self*
I can’t even begin to write about all that this weekend meant to me in one single post. The story behind the Opal apple inspired me right down to my tippy toes and gave me lots to think about on just about every food and regular life level. We’d get back to the hotel each night and I’d be ready to talktalktalk for hours to process what we’d been learning about. Bjork would be ready to process by shutting off the world and sleeping. The classic extrovert/introvert marital dilemma. Really though, if you have a minute to read about the how and why of this special piece of fruit, I’d really encourage you to check out the website. Or call me and we’ll talk for hours.
If you don’t have a minute and you want the bottom line and FAST: think life-changing youth programs and rich community development with an emphasis on children. In addition to growing beautiful produce, this family-run orchard is all about serving people.
Now, on to apple business.
The Opal apple is
- Crispy like no other. I need apples to be crispy and the crunch-o-meter here is off the charts. HAPPY.
- Sweet enough for dessert. I mean, if I was the kind of person who eats apples for dessert. Psh.
- A teensy tiny bit tart, like an apple should be, making it stand out from my second favorite, the Honeycrisp.
- Golden. At the peak of ripeness, it’s a bright yellow with a supersoft blush of red.
- Never brown on the inside.
Oh wait, what’s that?
This apple seriously does not turn brown. Cut it up, take a bite, cut a wedge out, and put it in your fridge (or not) for a few days and you’ll still have this pristine white color. I don’t know about you but resuming snacking on my half eaten non-brown apple an hour or five after starting sounds like the highlight of my month.
In addition to the best apple flavor, juiciness, and texture, the everlasting pure color is the special sauce of the Opal apple. Which is why I hoard them.
One last note: Opal apples are not in season quite yet – sad face – but look for them at select grocery stores starting in December. For us peeps in Minneapolis, I hear that Lunds and Byerly’s are the places to get them. And it’s 150% likely that I’ll let you know when I see them on the shelves because I have some recipe ideas burning a hole in my brain.
In an attempt to save myself hours of reflective writing about, um, apples, and you from getting a thumb injury from scrolling for miles down this post, I’m going to let you explore the rest on your own.
I hope you sort of experience Opal apples through this massive montage of pictures, and I’ll see you on the other side. Mwah.
(Pst. Opals 4 life.)
I’ve never heard of an Opal apple! Maybe I’ll check the farmers market this week and see if I can find any. Wonder if they’ve migrated to the east coast yet?
If you are near a Harris Teeter market you will be able to find them there mid December thru mid January. I tried them 2 years ago and now I wait for them to come back in every year. The produce manager at my closest store knows I will be asking for them.
Thanks Barb!
OPALS!! haven’t tried them, don’t know if they are over here on this coast, but since we go through dozens of apples in a week, will keep my eyes peeled for them next time i’m a-shopping… !
I LOVE Honeycrisp apples so I’d love to try an Opal one one of these days. Do you think Whole Foods would sell them once they’re in season? Not sure I’ve seen them in my regular grocery stores!
Yes, usually they’re found at nicer stores like Whole Foods. and if you don’t see them, ask! 🙂 customer request has a big influence on the distribution of these apples, and they’re relatively new so sometimes grocery stores haven’t stocked them yet.
Great trip! Love any kind of apples. Never heard of opals. I should have cause I live darn close to WA. My apple tree is blooming like crazy and I’ve been making unknown name apple sauce, crockpot apple butter, apple pies. What else goes well with apples?:)
ok, you answered my other question. . what a great post! will certainly look for Opal apples!
Beautiful post and pictures! Thanks!
I too have not heard of this Opal apple you speak of. Do you know if they will make their way as far east as Ohio? I will keep my eye out for them in December. I have been apple picking 3 times already (Honey Crisps, Johnagolds and golden delicious). I also have an apple pie waiting for me at home for dessert!
How fun! 🙂
They are at Kroger right now. So delicious!
That’s a neat trick that they stay white inside! My son hates it when his apple slices start to brown!
im already liking this – not browning is the best part. Thanks for sharing this you guys 🙂
What a great orchard! It is so much fun to pick the fruit yourself. I love opal and sweet lady apples most.
You’ve had opals! that makes me so happy.
We LOVE apples – will definitely try the Opal apples. I’d never heard of them before. Sounds yummy and, more importantly, healthy! yay!
I luuuurve when a company is not only a.) awesome but b.) has an outstanding product that helps not only themselves, but other people! Way to go on them, jealous of your visit!
I never heard of Opal Apple, but I do love Golden Delicious Apples. They are awesome.
I found Opals just this spring and I was only able to get them from Top Foods and Harbor Green here in in WA state. But the apples were only golden yellow not the red variety in your photos. And you are absolutely right, it’s so much crispier and yummier (?) than our favorite Fuji. It really has a very short season, since I wasn’t able to buy them anymore before summer started.
PS. I’m so happy to see Filipino recipes, not the fusion but the real deal – the ones that we actually make at home. Daghang salamat – both for the nostalgia these posts bring and for your support of the children of Cebu.
Aw, this is the best comment. Thank you for reading! 🙂 And the red apples are actually NOT Opals, but the orchard that we visited several other kinds of apples besides just Opals.
I have never heard of this. Of course I was skeptical when you write that they never brown. My GMO radar went off. But I am so happy to read that they are not GMO. Yay!
😀 😀 😀
Ooh! I want to hop on the Opal Apple train! Never heard of them, but they sound incredible. Even better than a Honeycrisp? I’m sold.
I haven’t heard of these apples. We need them on the East coast. I love a good crispy apple.
I have never heard of these apples,but if they are organic that also means thay are also GMO free!We need them here in Pennsylvania, I will buy!!! Its very hard to find organic apples any where.
You have my mind churning. What do Lindsay and Bjork have up their sleeves?? Visiting an apple orchard, and not just any ordinary apple orchard – one that has a very special apple AND has a children & community focus???? Me thinks you are up to something!!
🙂 No secrets here, although it does get my mind going on many different levels. Such a cool organization and inspiring story!
You are so adorable! And those apples – amazing. My favorite picture is the one with the cute purse filled with apples!
hahaha – thanks Chung-Ah. I was not the only one leaving with a purse full of apples!
It’s apple picking season, all right. I will be on the lookout for the Opals!
Never heard of Opal apples. Did a quick google search and found that they are a cross between Golden Delicious and Topaz. (Never heard of Topaz, either.) I’ll check for them around here, but I don’t hold out much hope that they are available here in New England.
I love your striped hoodie. Where could I get one like it?
Stunning pictures!
Oh am I jealous! Not only are you in Washington where I have always wanted to go, but you are at the Opal apple orchard. I blogged about this apple 3 years ago (http://www.eatlikenoone.com/opal-apple.htm). Been one of my top winter posts. Reminds me to take a new picture this year with my “improved” photography skills. This is one of those winter varieties that they put into cold storage to be released later. That’s awesome that you got to get them right off the tree. I visited an apple orchard this past weekend that grows a lot of heirlooms and though of how fun it would be to travel around my state (Michigan) getting the stories behind these orchards and old varieties and turn it into an e-book (I have a lot of e-book ideas now, thank you for the inspiration).
I had never heard of Opals until now but they sound AMAZING! And all these photos are beautiful! I hope you enjoyed the great state of Washington! 🙂
funny – i live down the road from that orchard and we eat a lot of their apples — but haven’t had an opal yet — i’ll be on the hunt for them this season for sure — on another note — i love your purse – can i ask where you got it and if it was recently?