Apples, red delicious, with skin, raw
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
The Red Delicious apple is an iconic, deep-crimson fruit known for its classic teardrop shape and five distinctive bumps at the base. Its flesh is mild, sweet, and subtly floral, with a crisp but often mealy texture that softens with storage. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie source of dietary fiber and natural sugars, offering a quick, refreshing energy boost.
💚 Why it's loved
People love the Red Delicious for its striking, uniform appearance and its mild, non-acidic sweetness that makes it a crowd-pleasing, easy snack. Its iconic status is deeply tied to American apple culture, where it was once the most widely cultivated variety.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The Red Delicious can be criticized for a sometimes mealy texture and a lack of complex, tart flavor compared to other varieties. Its high natural sugar content can cause blood-sugar spikes for some; pairing it with a protein like peanut butter or a fat like cheese can help slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides 2 grams of dietary fiber per 100g, aiding digestion.
- Low in calories (62 kcal per 100g) and virtually fat-free.
- Contains natural sugars for a quick energy source.
- A good source of hydration due to high water content.
- Offers small amounts of antioxidants like quercetin in the skin.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Red Delicious was originally named 'Hawkeye' and was discovered as a chance seedling on a farm in Peru, Iowa, before being renamed and marketed to national success.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 84.7 g |
| Energy (Atwater General Factors) | 61.8 kcal |
| Energy (Atwater Specific Factors) | 55.6 kcal |
| Nitrogen | 0.03 g |
| Protein | 0.19 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.21 g |
| Ash | 0.15 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 14.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by summation | 14.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.0 g |
| Sugars, Total | 12.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 12.2 g |
| Sucrose | 1.3 g |
| Glucose | 3.1 g |
| Fructose | 7.8 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 4.7 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.7 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 9.2 mg |
| Potassium, K | 95.3 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 |
FAQ
Why does my Red Delicious apple taste mealy?
This texture develops as the apple ages and its cells break down, releasing air. It's common in Red Delicious, which are often stored for long periods. For the crispest texture, buy in season (fall) and refrigerate.
Is the skin edible and nutritious?
Yes, the skin is edible and contains a significant portion of the apple's fiber and antioxidants like quercetin. Simply wash thoroughly before eating.
How does it compare nutritionally to a green apple like Granny Smith?
Red Delicious is generally sweeter and has slightly more sugar, while Granny Smith is tarter with a bit less sugar. Both are low-calorie and good fiber sources; the main difference is flavor profile.