WSU's apple breeding program introduces new Sunflare apple
YAKIMA, Wash. - The apple breeding program at Washington State University has cultivated a new addition to their fruity lineup.
On Dec. 10, apple breeder Kate Evans revealed the official brand name of WA 64: Sunflare at the Northwest Horticulture Expo in Yakima.
The apple's debut comes after a creative contest drew the participation of over 15,000 apple aficionados. Sunflare is described as a delectable mix of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink varieties also known as a Pink Lady.
Apple experts and enthusiasts within the WSU community, along with the public, narrowed down the sea of entries to find a name that was memorable and reflected the apple's vibrant qualities. Sunflare hints at the bright, sunny shades of this particular apple.
FILE: Cosmic Crisp (Courtesy: WA Apple Commission)
Ryan Escarcega is a Centralia-based food service salesperson and chef. He now boasts two apple naming achievements to his credit. Escarcega says he drew inspiration from the apple's vivid color palette and the solar phenomena contributing to the northern lights.
Washington State University's apple breeding program is renowned for its Cosmic Crisp launched in 2019. Now, Sunflare joins the lineage with its pink and yellow hues, high crunchiness, and sweet-tart flavor mix.
Back in 1998, WSU scientists crossed the Honeycrisp with Cripps Pink, emulating the natural process bees perform. According to Bruce Barritt, retired apple breeder and founder of the breeding program, Sunflare is the product of natural pollination and not genetically modified in any way.
With each cross-pollination, WSU aims for apples that are not only great to eat but store well, leveraging Honeycrisp's crisp juiciness and Cripps Pink's sturdiness and storability.
WSU asserts intellectual property over WA 64 through patents and trademark filings for the Sunflare brand. The university has chosen International New-Varieties Network LLC to control the sales of licensed trees and budwood and has constituted a committee of marketing experts to bring Sunflare to grocery stores by 2029.
Innovation in apple development at WSU is supported by royalties and various organizations, including the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Funds generated from the sales will fuel further research and breeding.
Escarcega's involvement with the apple, including a preannouncement tasting, has imbued him with anticipation for the Sunflare's culinary potential. As the creative force behind the winning name, his prize includes a selection of WSU-themed gifts and a box of the apples he helped name. Ecstatic about his role in the introduction, Escarcega says he hopes for a future rich with Sunflare's exceptional taste and versatility in the kitchen.
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