Mollie Stone’s has a new crop: Piñata apples! The Piñata is crisp and juicy, exemplifying the classic apple flavor that you love with a unique tropical finish. The bicolor Piñata was bred in Germany during the 1970s-80s using heirloom parentage to create its distinctive flavor – it’s a cross between Russia’s Duchess of Oldenburg, England’s Cox’s Orange Pippin and America’s Golden Delicious varieties.
The Piñata first arrived in the US in 2004, and is now grown exclusively in eastern Washington by the Mathison family and a few other select Stemilt growers. In season from December through April, the apple thrives in this arid climate, where long, sunny days and cool nights precede harvest. This gives each Piñata apple a balanced sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture.
If your curiosity isn’t peaked yet, the culinary aspects of Piñata should do the trick. Piñata’s thin skin makes it a standout in any apple dish you can dream up – slice it thinly to add flavor to a green salad, roast it with pork tenderloin for a filling entree, or use Piñata to make a classic apple pie.
Keep reading for recipes, to learn more about Piñata’s unique characteristics, and to watch a video about this special apple!
PIÑATA APPLE CHARACTERISTICS
- Appearance: Stripy bright red over a yellow-orange background
- Texture & Firmness: Very crisp and juicy
- Internal Character: Bright white
- Flavor: Crisp and juicy, Piñata has classic apple flavors with a tropical twist
- Shape: Round to slight cone-shape
- Size: Medium to large
- Uses: Piñata apples are excellent for eating out-of-hand, in salads, sauces and freezing; great for poaching and baking
PIÑATA APPLE RECIPES
The Piñata offers culinary inspiration for every course, from salads to entrées to desserts. Here are some delicious recipes from Stemilt:
