The Washington State University apple breeding program began in 1994 to develop new varieties suitable to the unique climate of central Washington. Washington is the leading apple producing state with over 50% of U.S. production. Unfortunately, many of the new varieties developed in the world are not well adapted to growing conditions in central Washington.

The goal is to produce apples of a high eating quality with particular factors of outstanding flavor, texture and juiciness. The breeding program is a traditional breeding program, hybridizing parents with desirable traits. Promising seedlings are selected from large populations and their fruit is evaluated in the laboratory for eating quality and suitability for long-term storage. The first promising selections from the program have been planted in commercial grower trials in central Washington. It is not expected that cultivars suitable for commercialization will be available before 2010.

The majority of the support for this program comes from the Washington apple industry through the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission.