Kingsburg Orchards' unique Crunchy Gold
Kingsburg Orchards' unique Crunchy Gold
Kingsburg, CA - Harvest of Crunchy Gold apple pears began the week of July 23 at Kingsburg Orchards in California's San Joaquin Valley. It is a new variety to the United States, planted just seven years ago only in Kingsburg.
George Jackson grabs one of his prized possessions: a ripe, yellow apple pear ready for harvest. Mr. Jackson developed the apple pear with Sacramento breeder Jim Doyle.
This pear is unique in many ways, according to Dan Spain, vice president of sales and marketing. Like an Asian pear, the Crunchy Gold is shaped like an apple but has flesh like a pear. Unlike an Asian pear, the skin is thin like an apple, with smooth, yellow texture. It doesn't require peeling to be eaten. In fact, the Crunchy Gold is sweet to eat right off the tree. It also doesn't oxidize like apples or pears. Those are just some of the unique characteristics.
The Crunchy Gold was developed by George Jackson, founder of Kingsburg Orchards, and Sacramento breeder Jim Doyle. In addition, Mr. Jackson adopted the Tatura trellis system, developed in Australia, to grow the apple pear. Further, Mr. Jackson invented a tractor, heavy on the hydraulics, to groom his trees.
"I've learned over three decades what [pear trees] need and when they need it," Mr. Jackson said. "Cutting excess branches gets the sun's energy to the fruit instead of the branches."
Kingsburg Orchards produces 80 percent of U.S. apple pears. Mr. Jackson said the company uses five varieties, mostly developed with the help of a breeder. He and his company are currently looking at 10 more varieties for future planting.
