

Brand spanking new in the produce section from now through December is a new kind of apple, and you’re going to want it.
Called Green Dragon ™ brand, these are royal apples – named after the Chinese symbol for royalty — and they’re royally good! With a taste like a perfumed cross between a Golden Delicious and a pear or pineapple, this is a regal flavor.
The sugar level rivals our stash of Halloween candy, which is a good thing, since these are a great sweet-tooth dessert substitute. 😉
They went national in 2013, after showing up only in a few stores for the four years prior. Now all of us can savor the taste of nobility. They are sold under the Green Dragon brand, but their variety is actually Malus domestica “Washu 1984” (for all of us unrepentant biology nerds).
Grown: Hood River, Oregon
Heritage: Originated in Japan in 1920
Season: mid-October to December
Price: about $2.99 per pound, available in the bulk bin
Where: Look for them at Southern Calif. retailers like Bristol Farms, Mother’s Market and Gelson’s. If you can’t find them in your produce department, ask the produce manager to get them in for you!
Delicious ways to use them
- Best way: eat them out of hand!
- Apple Chips
- Bok Choy Apple Salad
- Quick Applesauce for One
- In a Roots and Fruits sausage bake
Have you tried Green Dragon apples yet? Let me know what you think of them!
Disclosure: Melissa’s Produce sent me apples for review. All prose and opinions are mine.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
super, super super good apple ever tried – must try !!!
OMG – Bok Choy Apple Salad sounds amazing!
Jessica,
It is SO GOOD! You must try it!
These sound like a dream! Thanks for the ideas!
I’ve never heard of Green Dragon apples! I can’t wait to try them in a salad or just all by themselves!
That sounds interesting! I haven’t tried it yet but sounds delicious!
Oh wow this is absolutely great! Sounds very interesting, so excited to try this!
This is so informative. I’m always looking for more info on apples and had never heard of this variety.
Interesting!! I will Definately have to try these out !
I just had one and had never heard of them before, I felt is was a cross between an plum and a pear but I love the flavor.
Connie,
Interesting…a plum? The flavor is certainly extraordinary!
omg!! I love love these apples I am soooo hooked and now im so freakin sad and upset they don’t have them anymore at my local winco 🙁 where else can I go? 🙁
Kristy,
They may be out of season now. 🙁 We’ll have to wait for another year, sadly.
I discovered them at Winco this season…and am SO hooked! I was bummed that they have a short season and told the grocer that they definitely need to sell them again!
Amazing, Like a crispy pear. I saw a bunch at Winco here in Vancouver Washington. These are my new favorites!
Kristopher,
I know, right? You think, “How much better can an apple possibly be?” And then you taste this one, and BAM!
I happened upon green dragons at Winco. Holy cow they are good! I must say however, that Pinata apples are my favorite this week. I’m waiting for Pacific Roses apples to be in season….
Janet,
Oh, I haven’t ever had Pinata apples! I must search them out! And Pacific Roses…you must live in a wonderful apple region to get these varieties. I am inspired!
I tried them for the first time a couple of weeks ago at Bristol Farms. They are the best apples I have ever eaten. I understand they will be out of season by mid December so stock up when you can. I am eating one as I post this comment
Sara,
I agree with you. Best I have ever eaten!
Trying to come up with a recipe as we speak… Thanks for the recap! You are so good…