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Ginger Gold is a yellow apple variety which entered commerce in the 1980s, though the original seedling dates from the late 1960s.

Ginger Gold is one of the earliest commercial apple varieties to ripen, bearing in August on the east coast or even July in California. The fruit is conical and starts out a very pale green, though if left on the tree will ripen to a soft yellow with a slightly waxy appearance.

The primary use is for eating out of hand, though it can be used for most other purposes. The flesh, of a cream color, resists browning more than most varieties. The flavor is mild but with a bit of acid.

In a 1995 evaluation, the Virginia Extension Service held that "This is the best apple that we have evaluated that ripens before 'Gala'." ^[1]

Ginger Gold is famous as the apple that Hurricane Camille brought forth. Camille brought devastating floods to Nelson County, Virginia in 1969, and the orchards of Clyde and Frances "Ginger" Harvey were badly washed out. In recovering the few surviving trees around the edge of one Winesap orchard, another tree was found which Clyde Harvey recognized as being different. It was planted with the rest, but was found to produce yellow rather than red fruit.^[2] An extension agent identified the parents as Golden Delicious, Albermarle Pippin, and some other unknown variety.^[3] The variety was eventually named after Clyde Harvey's wife. ^[4]

In the 21st century this has become an increasingly popular variety. It is the first yellow apple to ripen in the fall, and the quality and consistency of its bearing have suited it to commercial growing.

In January 2007, the Virginia General Assembly proposed a bill designating the Ginger Gold Apple as the official fruit of Virginia. The bill was tabled in committee in late January.^[5]

1. ^ "1995 Apple Variety Evaluations". Marini,Richard P., Virginia Tech Publication Number 422-760, July 1996
2. ^ "Hurricane Camille Leaves a New Apple in Nelson C." Charlottesville Daily Progress, September 18 1992
3. ^ Ginger Gold from the California Apple Commission
4. ^ Obituary for Clyde Harvey from Rootsweb
5. ^ Bill HB1837 from the Virginia General Assembly 2007 Session

Apple cultivars

Ambrosia • Antonovka • Baldwin • Ben Davis • Blenheim Orange • Braeburn • Bramley • Cameo • Cortland • Cornish Gilliflower • Cox's Orange Pippin • Cripps Pink • Egremont Russet • Elstar • Flower of Kent • Fuji • Gala • Ginger Gold • Golden Delicious • Granny Smith • Gravenstein • Haralson • Honeycrisp • Idared • James Grieve • Jazz • Jonagold • Jonathan • Knobbed Russet • Macoun • McIntosh • Northern Spy • Paula Red • Pink Pearl • Pinova • Red Delicious • Rome • Spartan