Jonagold

Developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in 1953 and released commercially in 1968, the Jonagold apple is a distinct crossbreed created by crossing Jonathan and Golden Delicious. Grown on highly vigorous, triploid trees that produce sterile pollen and cannot act as cross-pollinators, it yields exceptionally large, heavy, round-conic fruit. Its skin color quality features a beautiful bi-color profile, displaying broad orange-red striping over a warm, yellowish-green background. Requiring 700 to 800 winter chilling hours to break dormancy uniformly, it thrives optimally across mid-to-high Himalayan belts between 5,500 and 8,500 feet where bright autumn days enhance its color finish. Harvested mid-September to early October as ground colors turn gold, it boasts a superb, well-balanced sweet-tart flavor with rich aromatic undertones. The creamy-yellow, crisp, and exceptionally juicy flesh stores reliably for three to four months under standard cold refrigeration.