The Accidental Origin of the 'Delicious'
In the late 19th century, Iowa farmer Jesse Hiatt found a mysterious seedling growing in his orchard. Viewing it as a nuisance, he attempted to cut it down multiple times over several years, but the stubborn little tree kept growing back. Eventually, Hiatt gave up and decided to let it grow, and it eventually bore fruit. He was so impressed with the sweet, crisp taste and appealing red-and-yellow striped appearance that he began calling it 'Hawkeye' in honor of his home state.
Around 1893, Hiatt submitted his 'Hawkeye' apple to a contest hosted by Stark Brothers Nurseries, a prominent Missouri-based nursery seeking a new apple variety. According to legend, when C.M. Stark, the company's president, took his first bite, he reportedly exclaimed, “My, that's delicious!”. The name stuck, and Stark Brothers purchased the rights from Hiatt, marketing the apple as the 'Stark Delicious'.
The Addition of 'Red' and the Rise to Prominence
The name 'Delicious' wasn't truly complete until another star appeared on the scene. In 1914, Stark Brothers Nurseries also began marketing a different yellow apple variety that they called 'Golden Delicious'. To prevent confusion between the two fruits, the original 'Delicious' was officially rebranded as the 'Red Delicious'. The apple's journey was far from over, though, as its striking appearance began to overshadow its original flavor profile.
The Red Delicious was an instant sensation, quickly becoming one of the most popular apples in the United States and the world. Its naturally high sugar content and pleasing texture made it a favorite for fresh eating. However, its success led to a shift in priorities for commercial growers, who began to focus on cosmetic attributes over taste. The breeding that followed prioritized a uniformly deep crimson color and a thick skin that resisted bruising, perfect for long-distance transport and storage.
The Genetic Shift and Flavor's Downfall
As the Red Delicious became the top-producing apple in the U.S. from 1968 until 2018, the relentless focus on appearance had a devastating side effect. The original flavor began to fade, replaced by a bland, excessively sweet profile. This change was the result of selecting for specific 'sports' or genetic mutations that produced the most consistent red color. Unfortunately, the genes responsible for the best flavor were often linked to the genes for the less-uniform, striped skin of the original apple.
This single-minded focus created a different apple than the one that won over Stark Brothers' taste buds. The thick, tough skin and mealy texture became a common complaint, contributing to a significant decline in its domestic popularity. Today, consumers in the United States and other Western markets favor newer varieties with more complex flavors and better textures, such as the Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji.
Comparison of Red Delicious to Modern Apple Varieties
| Feature | Red Delicious | Gala | Honeycrisp | Granny Smith |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | Mild, sweet, one-dimensional | Sweet, crisp, with hints of vanilla | Very sweet, juicy, slightly tart | Extremely tart, crisp, sour |
| Texture | Mealy with tough, thick skin | Firm, crisp, dense | Exceptionally crisp and juicy | Firm, very crunchy |
| Best Use | Fresh eating, salads, decorative | Fresh eating, salads, baking | Fresh eating, salads | Baking, cooking, fresh eating |
| Appearance | Iconic conical shape, deep red, five prominent bumps | Red blush over yellow skin, medium-sized | Mottled red over yellow-green, round shape | Bright green skin |
| Storage Life | Excellent, bred for longevity | Good, but not as long as Red Delicious | Fairly long, but best eaten fresh | Excellent, holds up well |
The Red Delicious's Enduring Legacy
Despite its fall from grace in some markets, the Red Delicious holds a significant place in the history of commercial apple production. Its legacy includes pioneering long-distance shipping and storage, but also serving as a cautionary tale about prioritizing appearance over flavor. Though no longer the dominant apple in American orchards, it continues to be a major export variety, particularly in Mexico and parts of Asia, where its striking crimson color is a symbol of good fortune.
The Red Delicious paved the way for modern breeding programs by demonstrating the immense market potential of new apple cultivars. The story of its naming and subsequent transformation is a vivid illustration of how market demands and consumer preferences can shape a fruit's destiny. For more details on the evolution of apples, the Cornell University's apple breeding program is a great resource.
Conclusion: A Delicious Name, a Complex History
The story of why they are called Red Delicious is a captivating narrative that moves from a chance seedling on an Iowa farm to a global marketing success story, and ultimately, a modern-day object of flavor criticism. The apple's delicious-sounding name came from a genuine, spontaneous reaction to its original, superior flavor. However, the drive for commercial efficiency and visual perfection over decades of breeding and cloning effectively bred the "delicious" out of the apple, leaving behind a beautiful but ultimately disappointing fruit. The name remains a historical marker of what the apple once was—a crisp, sweet revelation—and a reminder of the compromises made in the pursuit of perfection. This heritage has, however, propelled other, more flavorful varieties into the spotlight, proving that flavor is a quality consumers will always seek out.
Note: While breeding has shifted the focus away from the original Red Delicious flavor, some heritage varieties and smaller-scale growers still produce apples closer to the original, delicious fruit.
List of Key Events in Red Delicious History
- 1872: Iowa farmer Jesse Hiatt discovers a tenacious chance seedling in his orchard, which he later names 'Hawkeye'.
- 1893: Hiatt submits his 'Hawkeye' apple to a contest held by Stark Brothers Nurseries.
- 1894: C.M. Stark reportedly tastes the apple and exclaims, “Delicious!”, purchasing the rights and renaming it 'Stark Delicious'.
- 1914: Stark Brothers introduces the 'Golden Delicious', prompting the renaming of the original to 'Red Delicious' to avoid confusion.
- 1940s: The Red Delicious becomes the most popular apple variety in the United States, cementing its icon status.
- 1960s-1980s: Breeding efforts intensify, prioritizing a uniform deep red color and thick skin for longer shelf life and transport, at the expense of flavor and texture.
- Late 20th Century: The apple's mealy texture and bland flavor lead to declining consumer preference in Western markets.
- 2018: The Gala apple surpasses the Red Delicious as the top-produced apple in the U.S., ending its decades-long reign.
- Present: The Red Delicious remains a significant export commodity and a key ingredient in breeding programs for newer varieties.
FAQs About the Red Delicious Name and History
Why are they called Red Delicious apples when many people think they taste bad now?
Many people perceive the modern Red Delicious apple as bland or mealy because its flavor and texture were sacrificed over decades of selective breeding that prioritized a uniformly deep crimson color and durability for transport and storage. The name comes from a nursery owner's reaction to the original, and genuinely delicious, apple discovered in the 1870s.
What was the original name of the Red Delicious apple?
The apple was originally named "Hawkeye" by its discoverer, Jesse Hiatt, in honor of his home state of Iowa.
Is the Red Delicious apple related to the Golden Delicious apple?
Despite both being marketed by Stark Brothers Nursery, the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are not related. The Golden Delicious was a different chance seedling found later and marketed under the 'Delicious' brand, which necessitated renaming the original to 'Red Delicious'.
Who was Jesse Hiatt, the farmer who discovered the Red Delicious apple?
Jesse Hiatt was a farmer from Peru, Iowa, who discovered the original seedling for the Red Delicious apple growing in his orchard around 1872. He initially tried to destroy the tree but eventually let it grow after it stubbornly reappeared, leading to his fortuitous discovery.
Did the Red Delicious apple always taste the way it does today?
No, the original Red Delicious apple, as discovered by Jesse Hiatt, was known for its crisp, sweet, and complex flavor. The bland, mealy texture associated with the apple today is a result of later commercial breeding that focused on appearance and shelf life, essentially breeding the superior flavor out of it.
What happened to the Red Delicious apple's popularity?
After dominating the market for decades, the Red Delicious's domestic popularity plummeted as consumers grew tired of its declining flavor and mealy texture. It was surpassed in production volume by newer, tastier varieties like Gala and Honeycrisp. It remains a major export, valued for its striking color and durability.
Is the Red Delicious apple used for anything besides fresh eating?
Historically, it was primarily for fresh eating, but because its flesh does not hold up well during cooking, it is generally not a good choice for baking or cooking. However, its vibrant color makes it useful for decorative purposes and salads.
