Sunflare (apple)

Sunflare
GenusMalus
SpeciesMalus domestica
Hybrid parentageHoneycrisp × Cripps Pink
CultivarWA 64
Origin Wenatchee, Washington, 1998

Sunflare is the commercial name of the apple variety WA 64, developed at Washington State University (WSU).[1] It is a Honeycrisp crossed with Cripps Pink/Pink Lady apple.[1] Apple breeders at WSU began searching for a commercially viable hybrid of the aforementioned varieties in 1998,[1] initially planting tens of thousands of seeds[2] before selecting the best one in 2023.[3] The first WA 64 apples were planted at WSU's Sunrise Research Farm in Rock Island and the Stemilt Growers orchard in Quincy, Washington in 2015.[2] The Sunflare will become available to farmers starting 2026. It will be exclusively grown in Washington state for at least a decade.[4] It is scheduled to become available at grocery stores in 2029.[1]

The Sunflare inherits its crispness and juiciness from the Honeycrisp, and its taste and firmness from the Cripps Pink.[5] It has yellow orange or yellow skin with a pink blush, with visible lenticels.[6][7] These traits could help it stand out in a market full of red and bi-color varieties.[7] The Sunflare is a sweet and tart apple,[6] small to medium in size.[2] Its sweetness and tartness are between those of its parents. The Sunflare is not as hard as the Cripps Pink, but is juicier and crisper.[4] This variety is resistant to bruising and can be kept in controlled-atmosphere storage for nine to twelve months.[2] It is not too susceptible to bitter pit, but is mildly vulnerable to mildew, necrosis, and oxidative stress (sunburn).[2] In Washington state, the Sunflare is harvested at the same time as the Golden Delicious and two weeks before the Cosmic Crisp (WA 38).[8]

WSU sponsored a naming contest for the apple, promising a gift box of WA 64 apples, Cougar Gold cheese, and other university merchandise to the winner.[9] In December 2024, the name Sunflare was chosen from some 15,000 applications.[10] The name was inspired by the similarity between the appearance of the apple and the May 2024 solar storms that caused the aurora borealis to become visible across North America.[1]

Reference

  1. ^ a b c d e Truscott, Seth (December 10, 2024). "Sunflare chosen as name for WSU's colorful next apple". WSU Insider. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Garcia, Gabriel (July 1, 2023). "WSU researchers present new apple variety". Wenatchee Valley Business World. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  3. ^ Radke, Bill (June 6, 2023). "A new WA apple is on the way". KUOW. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Phair, Vonnai (December 11, 2024). "Meet Sunflare: WSU and WA's newest apple". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ^ Clarridge, Christine (December 12, 2025). "WSU unveils its newest apple, Sunflare". Axios. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Paterson, Lauren (December 11, 2024). "It's sweet, tart and colorful. And now Washington's latest apple, WA 64, has a shiny new name". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Odegard, Kyle (August 29, 2025). "Shoppers buy with their eyes: Fruit color moves the market". Capital Press. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  8. ^ Sallato, Bernardita; Serra, Sara; Mendoza, Manoella; Evans, Kate; Musacchi, Stefano (June 2025). "WA 64 –Tree Characteristics and Horticulture". WSU Tree Fruit. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Phair, Vonnai (April 10, 2024). "Help name WA's newest apple". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Michaela Bourgeois (December 12, 2024). "'A real eye-catcher': Washington State University unveils name of new apple variety". KOIN.
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