Lady Alice Apples Go Nationwide in 2013

Rainier Fruit Company announces the largest shipment yet of the Lady Alice® apple, coming to stores nationwide in 2013. Lady Alice® apples will be available from late February through May, or while supplies last. The unique Lady Alice® brand apple is like a fine wine –they get more flavorful and complex with age. They are characterized by its banana-yellow color and sweet, crisp, dense flesh with a hint of tartness. Production of this apple has increased since its introduction just three years ago as its appeal with consumers has taken off.

“The Lady Alice® apple is a welcome addition for consumers who love apples and are looking for something new in the late winter and spring. It is delicious with its sweet bite that offers a hint of tartness that lingers on the palate,” Rainier spokesperson, Suzanne Wolter says. “We at Rainier strive to grow only the highest quality fruit – Lady Alice® offer versatility, while maintaining a unique quality we have been committed to for more than a century.”

The versatile Lady Alice® is an excellent choice for snacking, baking and cooking. Unlike many varieties of apples, the Lady Alice® is slow to brown when cut – making it perfect for salads and fruit trays. Lady Alice® can also be used in a variety of cooking and baking recipes. Its distinctively dense flesh helps the apple retain its texture when heated at high temperatures. Just like fresh cherries, Lady Alice® has a short season, yielding a limited supply of this delectable fruit.

More about Lady Alice® apples
Description: This new and distinct apple variety possesses several unique and desirable characteristics such as having a distinct pink stripe over a creamy-yellow background, which distinguishes it from other known varieties. The background color deepens to a banana-yellow after harvest. Lady Alice® apples possess a distinctive taste and its dense flesh is sweet with a hint of tartness. The shape of the Lady Alice® is round and somewhat broad with a shallow, slightly open calyx.

Parentage: The Lady Alice® apple was discovered as a chance seedling in Washington State and is therefore a *Washington Original*.

Availability: Available February through May or while supplies last.

Nutrition: The Lady Alice® apple contributes to a healthy lifestyle and compliments a variety of recipes. According to the USDA, apples are among the top 20 foods with the highest antioxidant content per serving. Rich in antioxidants, apples can help boost weight loss and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

History: Lady Alice® apples were named after Alice Zirkle, the co-founder of Rainier Fruit Company. It was discovered, quite by chance on a farm near Gleed, Washington in 1978 when a grower accidentally cut an apple tree with his farm equipment. A chance seedling grew from the base and over the next 25 years, steps were taken to preserve and propagate the distinctive characteristics of Lady Alice® apples. Over the last few years production has been sufficient to commercially offer Lady Alice® to the general public.

About Rainier Fruit Company
Rainier Fruit Company is one of the largest growers of fresh apples, pears and cherries in the United States. For more than 100 years, Rainier Fruit Company has been growing premium Northwest fruit that consistently appeals to consumers. The company is committed to growing the highest quality of fruit, while running their business honestly, ethically and efficiently. For additional information about Rainier Fruit Company and the Lady Alice® apple, please visit: www.rainierfruit.com.