WSU officially opens online naming contest for newest apple

YAKIMA — Washington State University has officially opened an online naming contest for its newest apple.

The apple, which has been called WA 64 as researchers developed it for the last 20 years, is a hybrid of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink apples and will be on grocery store shelves in 2029, according to a WSU news release.

“WA 64 is a great balance of tart and sweet, firm, crisp, and juicy,” said Kate Evans, head of WSU’s apple breeding program. “In taste tests, people prefer its texture to Cripps Pink — it’s crisper.”

WA 64 was first bred in 1998 and has gone through numerous trials across Central Washington.

WSU is following the same release process as Cosmic Crisp apples, which were first available to consumers in 2019. WA 64 will be available to growers in 2026 and will be exclusively grown in Washington for the next decade.

The contest’s organizers are looking for a memorable name that focuses on the apple’s qualities or connections to Washington.

The naming contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years of age or older. Each person can submit one name; the winner will receive a prize box including a box of WA 64 apples, other foods and WSU-branded kitchen products.