Red Delicious facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malus 'Red Delicious' |
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| Species | Malus domestica |
| Hybrid parentage | Chance seedling |
| Cultivar | 'Red Delicious' |
| Origin | Peru, Iowa, United States |
The Red Delicious is a famous type of apple known for its bright red skin and sweet taste. It was first discovered in Madison County, Iowa, in 1872. Today, there are more than 50 different kinds of apples that fall under the 'Red Delicious' name. For many years, from 1968 to 2018, it was the most grown apple in the United States. After 2018, the Gala apple became more popular.
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How the Red Delicious Apple Began
The 'Red Delicious' apple started as a surprise discovery in an orchard in 1872. It was first described as a "round, blushed yellow fruit of surpassing sweetness."
Finding the "Hawkeye" Apple
In 1892, a company called Stark Nurseries held a contest. They wanted to find a new apple to replace an older type called the 'Black Ben Davis'. A farmer named Jesse Hiatt from Peru, Iowa, sent in a red and yellow striped apple. He called his apple "Hawkeye."
From Hawkeye to Red Delicious
Stark Nurseries bought the rights to Hiatt's apple. They renamed it "Stark Delicious" and began growing many more of these trees. Later, another apple tree, which became known as the 'Golden Delicious', was also sold by Stark Nurseries. Because of this, the "Stark Delicious" apple was renamed 'Red Delicious' to tell it apart from the new 'Golden Delicious'.
Why Red Delicious Apples Became Less Popular
The 'Red Delicious' apple became very popular, but this also led to some problems.
Choosing Looks Over Taste
As more people bought their food from large supermarkets, apple growers started to focus on things like how long apples could be stored and how good they looked. They wanted apples that would stay fresh for a long time and have a perfect red color. Unfortunately, this meant they paid less attention to the apple's flavor and how good it tasted.
When growers chose apples that were redder, they accidentally chose against the genes that gave the original apples their great flavor. The genes for color and flavor were linked! Also, growing apples for a uniform look and long storage often meant they developed a thicker skin. Because of these changes, the apples started to taste less appealing.
Other Apples Take Over
Over time, many other types of apples became available in supermarkets. As these new, tastier apples appeared, people started buying fewer 'Red Delicious' apples.
In the 1940s, the 'Red Delicious' was the most popular apple in the U.S. By the 1980s, it made up three-quarters of all apples grown in Washington state. But because the focus was on beauty and storage instead of taste, demand for 'Red Delicious' apples began to drop. By the 1990s, relying so much on the 'Red Delicious' almost caused the apple industry in Washington state to collapse. In 2000, the U.S. government even had to help apple growers because they had lost so much money.
Farmers began planting other apple types like Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. By 2000, 'Red Delicious' apples made up less than half of Washington state's apple production. In 2018, the Gala apple officially sold more than the 'Red Delicious' in the U.S. Production of 'Red Delicious' apples has continued to decline.
Natural Changes in Red Delicious Apples
Over the years, many natural changes, called "sports" or "mutations," have been found in 'Red Delicious' apple trees. These are like small, natural changes in the plant's genes that can lead to slightly different versions of the apple.
Different Types of Red Delicious
Some well-known types of 'Red Delicious' that came from these natural changes include 'Hi Early' and 'Richared'. Some of these newer types were noted for having a "starchy and bland taste" compared to the original.
See also
In Spanish: Red Delicious para niños
