Tag: Apple cultivation

In 1872, an Iowa farmer repeatedly tried to destroy a chance apple seedling, but it was a nursery owner's exclamation years later that cemented the name, perfectly explaining why they are called Red Delicious. This single fruit's story is a fascinating tale of horticultural persistence and marketing savvy.

The Red Delicious apple held the title of the most produced apple cultivar in the United States from 1968 until 2018. This universally recognized fruit, with its iconic deep red skin and tapered shape, is the specific variety known as red delicious. While its modern reputation focuses on its appearance, its history is a tale of selective breeding and commercial influence.