Tag: Apple history

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.

According to the U.S. Apple Association, the Cosmic Crisp apple has become a significant player in the market since its release. But what are the new apples called beyond this popular variety? Modern apple breeding programs have introduced a wave of successors to the Honeycrisp, each offering unique textures and flavors to satisfy every palate.

The Red Delicious, once America's most popular apple, was dethroned in 2018 after holding the top spot for over five decades. While its deep red color and conical shape are instantly recognizable, many modern consumers avoid this once-celebrated fruit. The iconic fruit's fall from grace is a story of commercial priorities overshadowing consumer desires, leading to a bland and unsatisfying eating experience.

In 2018, the Gala apple officially dethroned the Red Delicious as the most produced apple in the US, ending its 50-year reign. This seismic shift in consumer preference highlights a critical question for many fruit shoppers: are Red Delicious real apples, or simply a beautiful, waxy imposter?

In 1973, in Western Australia, a brilliant crossbreeding project gave the world one of its most popular and recognisable apple varieties. Many apple enthusiasts wonder: what two apples make a Pink Lady®? The answer lies in the specific combination of two very different, yet complementary, apple cultivars.

Once prized for their sweetness and juicy bite, the modern Red Delicious apple is now famously known for its soft, often mealy texture, a result of decades of selective breeding for appearance over flavor.