Apples, red delicious, with skin, raw
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
The Red Delicious apple is an iconic American variety known for its deep crimson, heart-shaped skin and mild, subtly sweet flavor. Its flesh is crisp when fresh but can become mealy, with a texture that is less dense than other popular apples. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie source of fiber and carbohydrates, offering a simple, refreshing snack.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 96% carbs · 3% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its classic, mild sweetness and striking appearance, which makes it a visually appealing snack or lunchbox staple. Its cultural status as the archetypal 'red apple' in the United States cements its place in tradition and marketing.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its mild flavor can be perceived as bland or one-dimensional compared to more complex-tasting apples. For those monitoring blood sugar, its carbohydrate content (14.8g per 100g) can cause a spike if eaten alone. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or fat like peanut butter or cheese, which slows sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Low in calories, with only 62 kcal per 100g
- Provides 2g of dietary fiber per 100g
- Contains no fat and is a source of natural carbohydrates
- Serves as a hydrating snack with high water content
- Offers a convenient, portable source of energy
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Red Delicious was originally discovered in 1880s Iowa under the name 'Hawkeye' and was later renamed after winning a national apple competition, becoming the most widely grown apple in the U.S. for much of the 20th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 84.7 g |
| Energy (Atwater General Factors) | 62.0 kcal |
| Energy (Atwater Specific Factors) | 56.0 kcal |
| Energy | 62.0 kcal |
| Energy | 258 kj |
| Nitrogen | 0.03 g |
| Protein | 0.19 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.21 g |
| Ash | 0.15 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 14.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.0 g |
| Sugars, Total | 11.1 g |
| Sucrose | 0.92 g |
| Glucose | 2.6 g |
| Fructose | 7.6 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 5.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.7 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 9.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 95.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.02 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Applesauce, canned, unsweetened, with added ascorbic acid — USDA does not publish this profile for Apples.
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Applesauce, canned, unsweetened, with added ascorbic acid — USDA does not publish this profile for Apples.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.01 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.01 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.01 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.01 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.02 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.01 g |
| Serine | 0.01 g |
FAQ
Is the skin of a Red Delicious apple edible?
Yes, the skin is edible and contains much of the apple's fiber and antioxidants. However, its skin can be thick and slightly bitter compared to other varieties.
Why does my Red Delicious apple taste mealy?
Mealy texture develops as the apple ages and loses moisture. For the best crisp texture, store them in the refrigerator and consume them within a few weeks of purchase.
How does the nutrition of a Red Delicious compare to a Granny Smith?
They are very similar nutritionally. Red Delicious tends to be slightly sweeter and higher in sugar, while Granny Smith is tarter and often preferred for cooking due to its firmer texture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.62 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 2.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.