| Sunflare | |
|---|---|
| Genus | Malus |
| Species | Malus domestica |
| Hybrid parentage | Honeycrisp × Cripps Pink |
| Cultivar | WA 64 |
| Origin |  Wenatchee, Washington, 1998 |
Sunflare is the commercial name of the apple varietyWA 64, developed atWashington State University (WSU).[1] It is aHoneycrisp crossed withCripps 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 inRock Island and theStemilt Growers orchard inQuincy, 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 visiblelenticels.[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 incontrolled-atmosphere storage for nine to twelve months.[2] It is not too susceptible tobitter pit, but is mildly vulnerable tomildew,necrosis, andoxidative stress (sunburn).[2] In Washington state, the Sunflare is harvested at the same time as theGolden Delicious and two weeks before theCosmic 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 theMay 2024 solar storms that caused theaurora borealis to become visible across North America.[1]
