Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious is a thin-skinned, mildly sweet yellow apple first discovered in West Virginia in 1890. A baking and snacking staple, it is also a parent variety to many modern favorites including Gala, Jonagold, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp.
Riveridge Golden-Delicious

Sweetness Meter

How sweet is it?

Flavor Meter
8
TartBalancedSweet

Best Uses

How to enjoy it

Baking
Crisps
Snacking

The Story

What makes it special

A true American classic dating back to 1890, Golden Delicious has stood the test of time. First discovered in West Virginia, it’s one of the few popular apple varieties that isn’t red.

With its thinner skin, Golden Delicious is an excellent choice for baking and making sauce, and a favorite for easy snacking thanks to its tender, easy-to-chew bite.

Its flavor is gently sweet with a subtle hint of melon. While Golden Delicious is wonderfully simple on its own, it’s also helped shape the apple world as a parent of many beloved varieties, including Gala, Jonagold, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp.

Riveridge Golden-Delicious

Key Facts

Specs at a glance

TasteMild, slightly sweet
TextureSofter skin and flesh
AppearanceUniformly yellow with the occasional blush
PeakSept 8

Available in pack sizes

  • Totes
  • Trays / Bulk
PLU Code#4137 (large) / #4136 (small)
GPC Code
Peak HarvestSept 8
Window±1 week
Storage Temp34-36° F
AvailabilitySeptember to January

Pack Sizes & UPC Codes

Pack Apple Size Grade UPC
3lb 2 1/4" US Extra Fancy 0 33383 08120 5
3lb 2 1/2" US Extra Fancy 0 33383 08117 5
5lb 2 1/2" US Extra Fancy 0 33383 08119 9

Download Spec SheetView packaging options →

Frequently Asked

Good to know

What varieties came from the Golden Delicious lineage?

Quite a few. Golden Delicious has played a key role in the parentage of many popular varieties.

  • Gala is a cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd's Orange Red
  • Jonagold is a cross between Golden Delicious and Jonathan
  • Pink Lady is a cross between Golden Delicious and Lady Williams
  • Honeycrisp descended from a cross that involved Golden Delicious
  • Ginger Gold is a hybrid of Golden Delicious and Albermarle Pippin
  • Ambrosia is believed to be a cross of Golden Delicious and Starking Delicious

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