Where does the 'Golden Delicious' apple come from? What do Golden Delicious apples taste like? And how do you harvest and store them? We answer your questions about Golden Delicious apple trees.
The Golden Delicious apple (Malus 'Golden Delicious') is a real classic among dessert apples and one of the most important apple varieties worldwide. This is mainly due to the high yields of the apple trees and the unique sweetness of the apples. In Germany it has now been replaced by other apple varieties that are more disease-resistant, more aromatic and have a more diverse flavor. For hobby gardeners, however, it can still be interesting to grow the classic apple variety in your own garden. The 'Golden Delicious' is perfect for lovers of sweet fruit. We'll tell you what you need to know about growing this apple variety and what else you need to know about the 'Golden Delicious'.
‘Golden Delicious’: Profile
| Synonyms | 'Yellow Delicious', 'Yellow Delicious', 'Golddelikatess' |
| Fruit | medium to large; green-yellow color |
| Flavour | juicy, sweet, light anise note |
| Yield | high and regular |
| Harvest time | End of September to October |
| Maturity for pleasure | October to March |
| Shelf Life | good; Can be stored until March |
| Growth | medium strong; broad pyramidal |
| Climate | high standards; warm wine-growing climate |
| Diseases and Pests | highly susceptible to scab, various viruses, fire blight; less susceptible to powdery mildew, fruit rot |
Origin and History
This apple variety originally comes from West Virginia in the USA. It was from there that it began its triumphal procession around the world - it has been cultivated worldwide since the 20th century. At this time the 'Golden Delicious' also reached Germany and was one of the most commonly cultivated, especially in the former GDRapples. There he bore the name "Yellow Delicious". Due to its high yield and sweet aroma, this apple variety soon became a favorite of apple growers. Nowadays, the pure 'Golden Delicious' has lost its importance. However, many popular strains descend from it. These include, for example, the Elstar, Gala or Jonagold. In general, most modern varieties of apple breeding since the 1930s have come from the three "progenitors" 'Golden Delicious', 'Cox Orange' and 'Jonathan'.
Characteristics and taste of apples
Golden Delicious apple trees grow to medium height. The branches spread widely and may partially droop. Another characteristic of these apple trees is that they are very productive.
The 'Golden Delicious' apples are medium to large in size. They are greenish-yellow in colour. Only rarely do the fruits bear a reddening on the side facing the sun. The fruits are juicy when harvested early. If you harvest them later, they get a mealy consistency. When fully ripe, Golden Delicious apples have a sweet taste with a hint of anise and a low acid content. Another positive feature of this apple variety is that the cut areas oxidize only slightly, i.e. turn brown.
What are the characteristics of Golden Delicious apples?
- Medium to Large
- Greenyellow
- Juicy
- Sweet and aromatic with very little acid
- Interfaces only slightly oxidize
Cultivation features
The popular apple grows best in full sun with moist and humus-rich soil. If the soil is also calcareous and humic, there is almost nothing standing in the way of a high yield. However, the 'Golden Delicious' is only partially frost tolerant. In rougher areas, such as in northern Germany, it therefore needs a sheltered location to thrive. Under suboptimal climatic conditions, the apples cannot fully ripen and then lose a lot of their aroma. Golden Delicious apple trees are only partially self-pollinating and therefore require pollinators. The apple varieties 'Gala', 'Elstar' or 'Rubinette' are suitable for this.
What should you watch out for when growing 'Golden Delicious'?
- Sunny location possible
- Moderately moist and humus rich soil
- Calciferous and nutrient-rich soil
- Sensitive to frost
- Partially self-fertile
Read our feature article to learn more about growing apple trees.
Expert tip: The 'Golden Delicious' variety is ideal as a columnar apple. And it also cuts a fine figure as a dwarf apple tree. With a height of around 120 centimetres, the variety can even be cultivated in a pot.
Harvest time and use of the 'Golden Delicious' variety
Golden Delicious apples are winter apples. Their harvest time is from the end of September to October. However, the apples have not yet reached their final maturity when they are harvested. This only arises with storage. If the apples are stored in a dry, cool and dark place - for example in a single layer in boxes in the pantry or in the cellar - they can be eaten until March.
You can read all about harvesting and storing apples here.
The 'Golden Delicious' apples are best eaten and eaten unprocessed. As delicious dishes with Golden Delicious apples, we recommend, for example, a colorful fruit salad, apples with chocolate or caramel coating or yoghurt with fresh apples. It is not very suitable for cooking and baking, as it completely disintegrates. But that in turn makes it attractive for cooking applesauce or baby food. The apple can also be used very well for apple juice, especially mixed with other, less sweet apple varieties. Another good use for the 'Golden Delicious' is in fruit brandies.
Harvesting and Using 'Golden Delicious': Overview
- Harvest time: late September to October
- Ready to eat: October to March
- Time to harvest: When the skin turns from green to yellow
- Store in a dry, cool and dark place
- Use: dessert apple, applesauce, juice, fruit brandy
The Apple ‘Privy Councilor Dr. Oldenburg' is in no way inferior to the taste of 'Golden Delicious' - it is also sweet and mild. However, the variety is less susceptible to diseases. Further information on the 'Privy Councilor Dr. Oldenburg' can be found in this article.