Are Golden Delicious Apples Good for You? What You Need to Know

Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious apples are cultivars of the popular apple fruit. Having emerged out of chance seedling, they are a hybrid of Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette.

In 1995, this variety of apples was named the official state fruit of West Virginia. It has also been recognized by the United States Postal Service through the release of a 33 cents stamp. Further, a Golden Delicious Festival in commemoration of the fruit is held every year in Clay County.

Golden Delicious apples are said to contain nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, and antioxidants. Alright, but are they good for you? Let’s check out.

Taste

Golden Delicious apples have lean skin that is easily chewable. The pulp on the interior is a tad soft and slightly acidic. The fruit gives you a strong crispy feel when you bite into it. However, it becomes less crispy as it ripens.

The apple has a sweet-sour taste when not fully mature but is very sweet when ripe. The flavor of the fruit has been likened to a blend of cinnamon, pear, and honey.

The taste of Golden Delicious apples also depends on when you eat them. Freshly hand-picked fruits are juicy and sweeter. Stored and imported apples may not be as flavorful as they are picked early and go through storage processes.

Color

Golden Delicious apples are large apples with yellow-green skin and tiny black speckles. They get the yellow color because of the presence of carotenoids. The area around the stem could be reddish brown. The fruit is greener when immature and turns more yellow when ripe. The flesh is creamy white. You will also find small brownish-black seeds inside.

Smell

Golden Delicious apples have a fresh aroma. The fragrance is similar to that of regular apples but with a lemony tinge. The smell is strong and stays on for a while.

Where are Golden Delicious apples grown?

The Golden Delicious apple tree was first discovered on a farm belonging to the Mullins family in West Virginia, USA. The family sold the tree and its breeding rights to Stark Brothers Nurseries in the early 1900s.

The apples are now grown across the world where the climate is feasible for their cultivation. Growing them is uncomplicated and also produces enormous yield. They are the most cultivated apple variety in the world.

Golden Delicious apples are typically cultivated in the warm climate regions of the temperate regions in the USA, and in Europe and Asia. Golden Delicious apples account for a large share of apple varieties grown in Europe, especially in countries like France, Italy, and Spain.

Golden Delicious apples can also be easily grown in your backyards and fields. All you need to do is plant a seedling in a place where is there sufficient sunlight and where the soil does not stagnate water.

The standard-sized trees will grow to about 25 feet in height and produce fruits in seven to 10 years. On the other hand, the dwarf varieties will grow to around 15 feet in height and start yielding fruits in three to four years.

Season

The season largely depends on geography. In North America, the fruit is harvested in September-October. It is plucked from November-April in Europe. The apples are harvested in huge quantities and preserved for several months in cold storage.

What to make with Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples can be relished as fresh fruits besides using them in several delicacies. Apple butter, stuffed apple, pie, cake, syrup, crumble, mostarda, and candy are a few examples.

Here is how the fruit can be utilized in some popular recipes.

Apple pie

The texture and sweet taste of Golden Delicious apples blend impeccably for delectable pies. The preparation is just about the same as for standard apple pies.

You will need peeled apples, apple juice, cinnamon, flour, butter, salt, and water. The procedure will require cooking the ingredients on heat besides baking the crust.

Apple sauce

Making sauce from Golden Delicious apples is easy and exciting. Yes, the outcome is surely scrumptious. You can also preserve the sauce for a couple of months.

You can also purchase sauce made from Golden Delicious apples at supermarkets or online stores.

Apple butter

Golden Delicious apples are suited for the preparation of apple butter. When you have harvested oodles of the fruit and are looking for a way to preserve them, then apple butter is what you should turn them into.

Apple butter is similar to the sauce but is thicker. It is prepared by caramelizing apple puree with sugar and spices like cinnamon and cloves. The procedure is long drawn out as it requires cooking the ingredients on a low simmer until a concentrated paste is obtained.

Can you bake Golden Delicious apples?

You can absolutely bake Golden Delicious apples. The fruits are baked at high temperatures in the oven for preparing many desserts. Some popular treats include pies, almond butter baked apples, stuffed apples, bread, baked apple puffs, and streusel.

The apples retain their flavor when baked. Further, baked apples are a good source of fiber.

Can you cook Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples can be cooked in water. However, the process may cut down vitamin C content. In order to retain the fiber and phytochemicals, it is advised to cook the apples with the skin.

There are many preparations made with cooked apples. The prominent ones are apple cider, apple cheddar soup, sauce, jam, marmalade, and pancakes.

Can you stew Golden Delicious apples?

Yes, Golden Delicious apples can be consumed through stewing. The method helps better retention of nutrients. It also allows for long-term storage of the apples.

Apples can be grated or chopped for stewing. Adding spices or sugar to the stewed apples makes a pleasant savory. To make it more interesting, you can stew apples to prepare apple butter.

Can you fry Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples can be fried to make appetizing crisps of various sorts. The fries are usually made using butter. However, frying could destroy vitamins and folate in the fruit.

Can you freeze Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples can be frozen as whole fruits to extend shelf life. Their features with respect to texture and aroma make them compatible with freezing. Storing them in constant frigidity will keep them fresh for eight to 12 months. Even in your refrigerator basket, these apples will remain fresh for nearly four months.

If you wish to store slices of the apples, you can rinse them in acidic water and wrap them in layered baking sheets before putting them in the refrigerator. This method will keep the apple slices fresh for a couple of months.

Golden Delicious apples – Nutrition facts

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Absolutely – Golden Delicious is not just a delicious snack but is also packed with nutrients. In the first place, carotenoids – the pigment that gives the fruit its golden hue is a powerful antioxidant. It strengthens cardiovascular health and improves immunity, eyesight, and brain function besides fighting inflammation.

So, what are the other nutrients present in Golden Delicious apples? Here’s a look –

Nutrition facts – One medium-sized apple
NutrientValue
Calcium8 milligrams
Iron0.16 milligrams
Potassium148 milligrams
Vitamin A4 micrograms
Vitamin C6.3 milligrams
Protein0.36 milligrams
Sodium1 milligram
Fat0.23 grams
Dietary fiber3.3 grams
Sugars14.33 grams

Calcium, iron, potassium, and proteins are basic nutrients that must be consumed every day. A medium-sized Golden Delicious apple can provide you with a substantial share of these essential nutrients.

  • Calcium is crucial for maintaining bone mass, healthy muscles, strong teeth, and regulated blood pressure.
  • Iron is required to carry oxygen to different parts of the body. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, maintaining body temperature, energy, healthy appetite, robust muscles, sharp brain functions, quick healing of wounds, fine skin and hair, and a good immune system.
  • Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates blood pressure and acids in the body. The mineral is required for the smooth functioning of the muscles.
  • Proteins are important for the development of muscles, bones, and hormones.
  • Vitamins A and C are the chief vitamins present in Golden Delicious apples. While vitamin A protects the eyes, brings a glow to the skin, and reduces the risk of cancer, vitamin C keeps the immune system intact in addition to regulating blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, and keeping blood uric acid levels at check.

Calories and carbs count of Golden Delicious apples

You need not shun the Golden Delicious apple on hearsay that it could be high in calories and carbohydrates. A large apple contains 111 calories and 96 percent carbohydrates. The calories are derived from healthy natural fats. The quantity is a small share of the 2,000-2,500 units of calorie intake recommended in a day.

Are Golden Delicious apples good for diabetics?

The truth is that eating Golden Delicious apples every day can help you combat diabetes. Polyphenols present in the apples enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas, stabilizing your blood glucose. In addition, antioxidants present in carotenoids and the high soluble fiber in the fruit are great elements for regulating blood sugar levels.

However, do not gorge on snacks like apple pies and jams. Eat the whole fruit to keep your diabetes at bay and to reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes.

Are Golden Delicious apples good for weight loss?

If you are on a weight loss journey, you must eat a Golden Delicious apple every day. Eating the fruit provides a feeling of satiety. This means a reduction in appetite and lower calorie intake. This is one way you can shed weight using Golden Delicious apples.

Additionally, carotenoids present in the apples are fat-soluble and facilitate weight loss. Further, the apples contain more water and less of calories. They are also rich in antioxidants, fiber, calcium, iron, and potassium that help in weight management.

Can dogs have Golden Delicious apples?

Yes, dogs can eat Golden Delicious apples. The fruit is rich in water content and other essential nutrients. These along with the fiber content improve the digestive system of the dog, its immunity, and overall health. This does not mean that your dogs can be fed apple pies, tarts, cakes, and jams – these are not good for their liver.

How to store Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples are considered the best for long-term use. If your fruit baskets are full because of a bumper harvest, or due to overshopping, you can safely preserve the fruits in your freezer.

The fruits may get easily bruised, so handle them carefully. You could wrap each apple in a newspaper or paper bag. You could even dip them in acidic water and wipe them dry before doing the wrapping. This way, you can easily store the Golden Delicious apples for eight months to one year – in fresh condition.

How to pick Golden Delicious apples?

Apples are always plucked off from the branches with the hand, even on commercial farms. The plucking will require twisting and pulling to separate the apple stem from the branch.

Apples meant for storage are usually picked when the skin is still green. If you want to enjoy the fruit in its best taste, aroma, and juice – wait till it turns yellow in the tree.

What are the different varieties of Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples have a family of their own. The varieties have the same genetic disposition but differ in terms of yield, durability, production method, and sweetness. The popular subspecies are –

  • Ambrosia
  • Pink Lady
  • Ranger
  • Golden Bee
  • Himalayan
  • Spice
  • Honey Crisp
  • Rush
  • Vladimirsky

Where to buy Golden Delicious apples?

Golden Delicious apples are easily accessible. They are widely available in supermarkets. You can also order them from all major online stores. During the harvesting season, fresh fruits can also be purchased from your nearest farms.