Back in September, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington State to learn all about apples. Not just any apples. Apples grown at Broetje Family Orchards owners of First Fruits; specifically the Opal® brand apple (among all the other varieties the family grows). I was accompanied by Kevin from Closet Cooking, Lindsay and Bjork from Pinch of Yum, and my dear friend Leslie from The Hungry Housewife.
In just three short days, during my visit to Prescott Washington, we toured some of the 6,000+ acre farm the Broetje family owns. We learned the story of how the orchard came to life first hand from Ralph and Cheryl Broetje. Ralph and Cheryl are amazing entrepreneurs, philanthropist, and all-around humble and caring people.
(Founder, Ralph Broetje pictured above)
“Broetje Orchards was founded by Ralph and Cheryl Broetje in 1967 and has grown to become one of the largest privately owned and operated orchards in the country. Based on the founding dream to help those in need, and a servant leadership philosophy to empower others, 50% of profits are invested annually to further our mission of “bearing fruit that will last.” One of the most recent ventures, Ralph and Cheryl have gotten into is a new variety of apple!
(compliments to my lovely hand model, Leslie from The Hungry Housewife)
The Opal® apple was discovered in Europe in 1999. The Opal apple was bred naturally (meaning non-GMO). The non-browning characteristics in Opal were discovered by chance, when Topaz and Golden Delicious were cross-bred, creating Opal. Cross-breeding is a traditional and natural method for creating new varieties. Browning is caused by a specific enzyme in apples which cause apple flesh to discolor when exposed to oxygen. Opal has a naturally low occurrence of this enzyme, thus slowing the browning process when cut.
In March of 2010, Opal® brand apple made its debut appearance in the United States grown exclusively by Ralph Broetje, Broetje Orchards in Washington State. Opal® Brand apple is being marketed and distributed exclusively in North America by FirstFruits Marketing of Washington.
The Opal® brand apple variety has been praised for its bright yellow color accented with natural russeting at the stem, but is recognized above all for offering a distinctively crunchy texture and sweet and tangy flavor. In addition to its great taste, Opal® apple doesn’t brown after slicing so it is perfect for snacking and lunches! Seriously, this apple is delicious. Its crisp and refreshing and best of all is low oxidizing, so it takes a while for it to brown!
I created a quick video from my trip to Broetje Orchards. It will give you an idea of how the apple process goes from start to finish. Unfortunately, Opal Apples were not in season when we were there, so you will see other varieties of apples in the packing facility.
Here are a few more photos from my trip. The rain finally stopped giving us time to get all the way on top of the orchard and check out the view from above. It was cold and the wind was whipping. The view was breath taking!
Apples were everywhere and couldn’t help but snapping photos of them unwashed in their bins before they made it to the packing facility. I love this photo… I think I want to frame it and hang it in my kitchen to remind me daily how are food gets to us!
This is probably one of my favorite photos of the trip, and best of all… it was snapped on my iPhone. You would never know! This was back when I was able to zip up my jacket. Sadly, this jacket does not zip any more. I was 14 weeks with an itty-bitty baby bump!
Keith, who works for FirstFruits Marketing shared many stories with us. He was holding this apple as he explained about the variety and I felt compelled to photograph it in his hand.
I was one of the few who volunteered to try to pick apples. Let me tell you first hand, its hard work. Don’t think that anyone can do it. Its back breaking and there is an art to picking apples without bruising the apple or hurting the tree it rest in. I picked maybe a dozen and I officially retired! The workers will climb tall ladders and work until their bag is completely full. Then climb down the ladder, and carefully empty their bag by releasing the toggles in the middle of the bag (see photo above). Fun fact, when I sent this photo to my parents to tell them I was having a great time I immediately got a phone call and a scolding about how I shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy. I informed them that I had maybe a dozen apples in the bag… the baby and me were not in any harm!
So are you interested and wondering what the Opal really tastes like? Your in luck! It’s Opal season! Interested in trying this new variety of apple? Check out the locator to see what stores in your state are carrying the Opal® brand apple!
Make sure you like Opal Apples on Facebook. Every week now through the end of February, they will be picking one fan to receive free Opal apples! All you have to do is like a post, comment, share, whatever tickles your fancy for a chance to win!
Read other Broetje Orchards recaps:
Opal Apples. More Than Just The Apple. from The Hungry Housewife
And now you know about Opal Apples from Pinch of Yum
Disclaimer: FirstFruits Marketing flew me out to Washington. I was not required nor compensated to post about my experience. I love the brand and wanted to share their story and my trip with my readers. As always all opinions are my own.
Nong
Hi, Any place where I can buy opal Apple tree? I really love this apple, when I see them in store I cannot resist and have to buy 15-20 of them.
Katie
Hi Nong, unfortunately, I do not think they are available to purchase. They have a patent protecting anyone from growing them for 10+ more years!
donna white
any place i can buy online that ships opal apples
Katie
Hi Donna, great question. I wish I knew. You can check on the First Fruits website and see if you can contact someone about shipping.
Tammy N
Im not fond of Yellow Apples ! that said I thought these where pretty and my roommate mark loves them. so I bought some then made an apple pie with opals and Juicis. the best darn pie ever. well almost I cant find Kings in the grocery store looking for a king tree if anyone knows where I can get one Let me know .
Katie
Hi Tammy, I don’t like yellow apples either, until I tried an Opal! Opals are in season typically November-January/February! I have no idea about Kings though.
Maria
Hi,
Thanks for all the info:
Quick question:
Where I can buy an opal yellow apple tree to plant it in my house?
Katie
Hi Maria, unfortunately–they have a patent on the apple variety for another 20 years. Until the patent is up no one will be able to purchase or plant them.
Lorraine Grady
Opal apples are my ultimate favorite apple and rejoice when i can find them at Safeway of trader Joe’s. We are in the process of cutting down a 35 year old Golden delicious apple tree that was very prolific and had wonderful apples. however Opal is even better. is there any place I could find to purchase and Opal apple tree to plant. ?
We live in Cupertino, in the San Francisco bay area.
Thank you.
Lorraine Grady
Katie
Hi Lorraine! So sad to hear about your apple tree. Unfortunately, they have a patent on the apple for another 15-20 years. I doubt you can get your hand on a tree. But maybe contact First Fruits directly to see. The good news is–Opals should be in stores VERY soon!
Jennie H. Smith
My daughter in law who lives in Clackamas OR told me about an Opal Apple. She said it is one of the best she has ever had. If it is possible I would love to purchase a small tree for her.
She also mentioned a Green Dragon Apple. Do you have any thoughts on where I could get one of these trees for her too. She is quite the gardener and I would love to surprise her with both the Opal and Green Dragon trees.
Thank you for any help you can give me. Jennie Smith
Katie
Hi jennie! Opal has a 20/30 year patton on the breed of apple and you won’t be able to get your hands on a tree until the patton is up!
Ken Nelson
What kind of organization is First Fruits? I love the servant leadership philosophy. Is this a christian ministry? I love the Opal Apple and the owners charitable aims.
Katie
Hi Ken, It’s a business that gives most of it’s earnings back to charities. Read their values here. They are an amazing organization! I wish more organizations did business like them!
Jafar
The apples in the 4th and 5th picture are really beautiful. I was surprised to read that they are Opal (not that it isn’t a lovely apple). I’ve never seen Opal in the stores with that much pink blush or striping.
Are those sorted out before shipping to stores?
Katie
Hi Jafar, those Opals are what they look like before they are ready to eat. They aren’t shipped like that–those still needed a few more weeks on the tree before they could be harvested!
Ri:hard Vilog
Can Opals be purchased by mail, shipped to my address, I can’t drive very well because of a handicap. Please let me know Thanks Richard Vilog
Katie
Hi–unfortunately at this time you cannot purchase Opals by mail.
David curry
Where can I buy yellow and red opal apple trees? Do you sell them? Thanks. Can’t find your phone number.
Katie
I do not sell opal apple trees nor can you buy them yet in the United States. The Broetje Orchards has a 20 year patent on the trees. You can buy the apples when they are in season from November – February.
Susan Langsley
Very excited about the new Opal apples–for sale at Trader Joes in Redmond!!! I guessed that they were a cross between Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp, and I was half right anyway: Golden Delicious and Topaz I found out per your website. Wow!
Anyway, they are fantastic, thank you!
Katie
Jealous you have them by you. I have to drive over an hour away to get my hands on the Opals! Hoping when our Trader Joe’s opens in July that they will carry them!
Tonia
What a fun time! We love visiting the apple orchards every fall here in Minnesota…and now I am craving an apple!
Katie
Thanks Tonia! It was eye opening to learn about the process and see how much the Broetje family gives back! Amazing people!
Leslie
Love your recap! And the video captured all of it so well!!!
Katie
Thanks Leslie! I’m so glad we got to travel together to Washington!