"Thirty years ago, Golden Delicious apples were among the top three most popular apple varieties, along with Red Delicious and Gala apples. If you purchased apples at the grocery store, it was likely one of these three types. For good reason, too. Golden Delicious apples are among the best for baking, and they're also great for eating, with a soft flesh and sweet, honey-like flavor."
"Another reason for the decline in Golden Delicious apples ties back to the popularity, but it's a bit more technical. Commercial apple orchards replant their trees every 15-30 years.So once an orchard of Golden Delicious apples hit the end of that life cycle and another variety of apples was more popular, easier to grow, or would bring in more profit than what was already growing there, the grower is likely going to switch to the variety that is more lucrative for them."
Golden Delicious apples were once among the top three most popular varieties and remain prized for baking and eating because of their soft flesh and honey-like sweetness. By 2024, Gala, Red Delicious, and Granny Smith lead popularity, with Golden Delicious falling behind Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Rome in store availability. Retailers stock varieties that sell, so supply follows consumer demand. Commercial orchards typically replant every 15–30 years, and growers often replace aging Golden Delicious trees with varieties that are easier to grow or more profitable. Apple trees require cross-pollination by other varieties, which also shapes orchard composition.
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