The 'Altay Gold' apple variety is a dwarf tree with a rounded, moderately dense canopy, reaching a height of about 2.5 meters by the age of eight. The leaves are large, egg-shaped, dark green, and matte, while the bark on the trunk and branches is smooth and brown. Branches grow at optimal angles, making the canopy strong and easy to care for without additional shaping or pruning. This variety was bred by crossing the 'Young' and 'Pepinka Altay' varieties at the Siberian Horticulture Research Institute and adapted for cultivation in the West Siberian region, including the Altai Krai.
The fruits of the Altay Gold have a light yellow color and a correct egg shape with a large, smoothed ribbing. They are relatively small, weighing between 45 and 75 grams, and have a thin, smooth, dry skin with a pronounced waxy bloom. The flesh is creamy, fine-grained, very juicy, with a tart-sweet taste, a slight aroma, and a caramel aftertaste. The sugar content in the fruits is about 11.5%, titratable acids — 0.8%, and vitamin C — 31.8 mg per 100 grams. High pectin content (about 3%) further highlights the beneficial qualities of the apples. Based on taste tests, the fruit flavor is highly rated, confirmed by positive consumer reviews.
The variety belongs to summer types and ripens in the second decade of August. Fruit bearing begins in the 5th year after planting, with high yield reaching up to 42 kg per tree by the age of eight. The fruits store well for 30-40 days, and under optimal conditions, the storage period can reach 60 days. The apple tree is characterized by high winter hardiness and resistance to scab, making it a reliable choice for regions with harsh climatic conditions. Despite a tendency to alternate bearing, the variety is popular due to the combination of excellent taste, good yield, and disease resistance.
