On Dec. 10, 2024, Washington State University’s (WSU) announced it’s newest apple, WA 64, has an official brand name: Sunflare. Announced by WSU apple breeder Kate Evans at the Northwest Horticulture Expo at Yakima, Washington, the new name resulted from a public contest that drew more than 15,000 responses. A tart, crunchy, juicy cross of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink — better known under the trademark name Pink Lady® — Sunflare™ apples will reach grocery stores in 2029.

Thousands of name entries were winnowed down by WSU faculty and staff as well as public focus groups of apple lovers. The university sought a creative, distinctive name that consumers will remember and link positively with the apple. Sunflare™ won in part by best reflecting the apple’s physical qualities.

Sunflare™ is the third apple to emerge from the WSU breeding program, which launched Cosmic Crisp® in 2019. Bicolored, with a pink blush over a yellow background when ripe, Sunflare™ is a crunchy, firm, juicy apple with a sweet and tart balance and complex flavor. Scientists first bred Sunflare™ in 1998 when they hand-pollinated a Honeycrisp flower with pollen from a Cripps Pink tree at WSU’s Columbia View Research Orchard.

Apple consumers are the focus of the WSU apple breeding program: breeders seek outstanding eating quality and excellent long-term storage. For the Sunflare™ apple, Honeycrisp traits delivered the crispness and juiciness while Cripps Pink traits provided outstanding firmness and flavor in storage.

WSU holds a patent on WA 64 and has filed trademark applications for the Sunflare™ brand name. The university selected International New-Varieties Network to manage sales of licensed WA 64 trees and budwood to growers and has organized an advisory committee of marketing company representatives to license and market the variety to grocers. This committee will help develop a trademarked logo, color palette, and brand look and feel.