US: Lady Alice apples available nationwide for 1st time
The rarity of a chance seedling creating an apple that is quickly becoming a national favorite is a story in itself. It was discovered quite by chance on a farm near Gleed, Washington in 1978 when a grower accidentally cut an apple tree with his farm equipment. A chance seedling grew from the base and over the next 25 years, steps were taken to preserve and propagate the distinctive characteristics of the Lady Alice. The Lady Alice® brand apple is named after Alice Zirkle, the co-founder of Rainier Fruit Company in honor of her memory.
“The Lady Alice apple is a welcome addition for consumers who love apples and are looking for something new in the late winter and spring. Its delicious sweet bite offers a hint of tartness that lingers on the palate,” said Suzanne Wolter, director of marketing for Rainier.
What consumers really love is Lady Alice’s flavor and cooking qualities. The heirloom-like Lady Alice apple is similar to a fine wine – flavorful and complex. The apples are harvested in the fall, stored and sold to consumers at their flavor peak. They are characterized by a banana-yellow color and sweet, crisp, dense flesh with a hint of tartness. The density of the apple leaves those who eat them feeling satisfyingly filled after enjoying one.
The Lady Alice is slow to brown when cut – making it perfect for salads and fruit trays. The Lady Alice can also be used in a variety of cooking and baking recipes. Its distinctively sturdy flesh helps the apple retain its texture when heated at high temperatures. Just like fresh cherries, the Lady Alice apple has a short season, yielding a limited supply of this delectable fruit.
“We at Rainier strive to grow only the highest quality fruit – the Lady Alice apple offers versatility, while maintaining a unique quality we have been committed to for more than a century,” adds Wolter.
For more information please visit www.rainierfruit.com.
