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    Home » Fruit Reviews » Apples » What Are & Where to Buy Opal Apples

    What Are & Where to Buy Opal Apples

    Published: Dec 16, 2010 · Modified: Nov 5, 2020 by Eric Samuelson

    Have you been turned off to yellow skinned apple varieties because of soft, flavorless Golden Delicious apples. Then it's time to give Opal apples a try. You will be converted.

    A grocery store display of yellow Opal apples in a pile.

    This post includes affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.

    Meet the Opal apple!

    It's been a couple years since I first experienced the Opal apple and now they have become a variety I look forward to trying each year.

    Opal and I meet at a Whole Foods Market store on the west side of Ann Arbor, Michigan. A marketing representative was there giving out samples of this apple.

    A single Opal apple sitting on a wooden board.
    A close up on an Opal Apple. They are beautiful yellow apple with some spots and a little blush

    ? What are Opal Apples?

    It is a bright yellow color, more vivid in color than one of it's parents, the Golden Delicious. It's other parent is the Topaz apple. It is exclusively grown in the United States in Prescott, Washington.

    It is grown conventionally as well as organically. It was first discovered in Europe in 1999, eventually making it's way to Washington.

    ? My Ratings

    Here is my thoughts on this variety on a scale of 1-10. These ratings are from when the apple is at it's peak (more on that in a moment).

    Crispiness8
    Tartness5
    Flavor7
    Sweetness7
    Juiciness9

    Overall Feeling: Move over Golden Delicious, your offspring has you beat. The Opal apple is a flavorful apple that is sweet with enough acidity to not make the sweetness overwhelming.

    It's an extremely juicy apple. When I cut into a lot of juice came out onto my napkin.

    Great Choice for Salads

    The apple is also slow to oxidize, which means it will not turn brown when cut very quickly. This makes it a great choice for salads.

    Cooking

    As for cooking, the jury is still out (for me at least) on how well this apple does when baked. I do think though that it would make a great apple to use for applesauce, paired with a more tart apple. I am sure the high juice content of this apple would make it a good choice for juice or cider.

    A display of Opal apples at Kroger store. The apples have a red PLU sticker on them that says Opal Sweet.

    ? When in Season?

    Opal apples arrive on stores shelves in early November to mid November. They are usually in stores all winter but by late January quality decreases as they aren't as crisp. You might be able to find a good one still in later winter but it's less likely. Best to enjoy the from November to early January.

    ❓ Are Opal Apples GMO?

    No, Opal apples are non-GMO. To learn more about GMO & apples, check out my post: Are SweeTango Apples GMO? Are Any Apples GMO?

    A sale on bags of Opal apples at Whole Foods Market is shown. The apples are organic going for $1.79 per pound.
    Whole Foods Market is a big supporter of Opal apples. You can find them across the country in all their stores. They even go on sale, like these organic ones featured in November 2018.

    ? Where to Buy Opal Apples

    Here is a list of stores that carry Opal apples (by state). They may not be in all locations at the same time, so check with the individual store.

    Whole Foods Market is one of the best places to look nationwide. So if you have a Whole Foods check it out beginning in about middle November. Also Kroger is a good option.

    Arkansas
    Walmart

    Arizona
    Safeway

    California
    Safeway
    Vons/Paviilions

    Colorado
    King Soopers

    Florida
    Harvey's Supermarket
    Sweetbay
    Target

    Georgia
    Harvey's Supermarket

    Illinois
    Jewel
    Mariano's Fresh Market
    Meijer
    Target

    Indiana
    Meijer

    Iowa
    Target

    Kansas
    Target

    Kentucky
    Meijer

    Louisiana
    Walmart

    Michigan
    Meijer
    Whole Foods Market

    Minnesota
    Lunds/Byerlys
    Target

    Missouri
    Walmart

    Nebraska
    Target

    North Dakota
    Dan's

    Ohio
    Meijer

    Oklahoma
    Walmart

    Rhode Island
    Dave's

    South Carolina
    Harvey's Supermarket

    Texas
    Central Market
    HEB
    Randall/Tom Thumb
    Walmart

    Washington
    Haggen

    Wyoming
    Walmart

    Here are some other unique apple varieties to check out:
    Kiku
    Spitzenberg
    Pinata

    Here are some apple related kitchen tools I recommend:
    Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer : Allows you to slice apples into either 8 or 16 pieces
    Zyliss Soft Skin Peeler : The best peeler I have ever owned. Does a great job peeling an apple.
    Mirro Foley 2-Quart Stainless Steel Food Mill : A great tool for making your own applesauce. You can make the sauce without having to do any peeling.

    Have you tried this apple? What did you think? Leave a comment below telling us. Be a helper and share where you found it. You may make someone's day with your insider info on where to get them! If you are a true apple lover, you'll want to check out all of our apple reviews.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rubystars

      January 26, 2012 at 10:48 am

      This is the BEST apple variety I've ever had

    2. admin

      January 26, 2012 at 11:03 am

      I am glad you found it and my blog!

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    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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