Central Washington — Washington has a new apple.
Washington State University announced the name for its new apple Tuesday morning at the northwest horticulture expo in Yakima.
The apple is a cross between Honeycrisp and Cripps pink previously known as WA 64, but it will be called sunflare. As the name was picked from more than 15,000 responses to a public naming contest.
“I’m really excited about this name. I think the connection that the name draws to the appearance if the apple, you know, this yellow and orange and pink color that’s quite unusual and quite distinctive. I think having the name reference the color is a really good move for us,” said Jeremy Tamsen, WSU Director of Commercialization.
According to WSU the apple combines the crisp and juicy aspects of the Honeycrisp with the firmness and flavor from Cripps pink, also known as pink lady. The sunflare apples will hit store shelves in 2029 and will be a Washington exclusive and grown only in-state for a period of time.