11 Worst Rated American Apples

Enterprise is a North American apple variety that's been developed in 1982 by Purdue University, and it was released and named in 1992. The apples are medium to large in size. The skin is smooth, tough, thick, and glossy red in color with a yellow or green background. The flesh is pale yellow in color, while the texture is crisp, juicy, and firm. These apples are most commonly used for candied apples, which are especially popular on Halloween in the United States. They are also often eaten fresh as a snack.Expand

Cameo is an apple variety originating from Dryden, Washington, when it was discovered in 1987 by the Caudle family. It is believed that these apples are a cross between Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, but the parentage is still uncertain. The apples are covered in red strips and the skin is thin and delicate. The flesh is creamy and dense, with a juicy and crisp texture. The flavor is sweet and tart with notes of citrus and honey. Available from late fall through early spring, Cameo apples are typically used in sweet and savory dishes such as cobblers, quiches, sandwiches, and salads. When cooked, the flesh hold up well. Pair these apples with bacon or ricotta and cheddar cheese.Expand

Red Delicious is one of the world's most common apple varieties, dating back to 1880, when it was discovered by Jesse Hiatt in Iowa. The apples were first known as Hawkeye, then Stark Delicious, and it wasn't until the emergence of Golden Delicious that these apples were renamed Red Delicious. They have a bright red color, medium size, and a tall conical shape. The flavor is sweet, but very mild, slightly reminiscent of over-ripe melons. The texture of the flesh is juicy and slightly crisp, sometimes cardboardy, while the skin is usually very tough. However, due to its bland flavor, some believe that the good flavors of Red Delicious have been bred out over the years at the expense of its nice visual appearance. It's recommended to use these apples in salads.Expand

Cortland is an American apple variety dating back to 1898, when it was raised at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and named after Cortland County. These apples are bright red with dark red streaks, and often a green blush. The flesh is white and juicy, while the flavors are tart and sweet. Cortlands are a cross between the Ben Davis and the McIntosh. It's recommended to use the apples in cooking, for making apple sauce, apple butter, and juices, but they're also eaten fresh when available (in fall through spring). When thinly sliced, these apples can be added to sandwiches, tortillas, and burgers.Expand

Empire is an apple variety that was cultivated as a hybrid between McIntosh and Red Delicious in Geneva, New York in 1945. The apples are bright red in color with faint white striations and a light green blush. The flesh is creamy white in color, while the texture is crisp and juicy. The flavor is sweet and tart. Available from fall until mid-winter, Empire apples are usually baked, sautéed, or roasted. When fresh, they're used in salads or coleslaw. It's recommended to pair them with sharp cheeses, pears, pumpkin, and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.Expand

Sweet Sixteen is an American apple variety originating from Minnesota and dating back to 1973, when it was developed as a cross between Malinda and Northern Spy by the University of Minnesota. The apples are large and conical, with a greenish-yellow skin and red stripes. Beneath the skin, the texture of the flesh is coarse and crisp, while the flavors are sweet with spicy hints and a slightly tart aftertaste. Sweet Sixteen apples ripen in fall and it’s recommended to use them in desserts and baking.Expand

Jonathan is an apple variety that's believed to have originated in Woodstock, New York in 1826. This apple is a parent to many other varieties such as Jonagold, Jonafree, and Jonamac. The apples are medium-sized with a thin red skin and yellow or green blushes. The texture of the flesh is juicy and crisp, while the flavors are mildly sweet, tart, and tangy with hints of spice. Available in the fall, Jonathan apples are usually cooked or eaten fresh. It's recommended to add slices to tarts, purees, soups, or use it in pies and sauces. Due to their slightly spicy flavor, these apples are often made into juices or ciders.Expand

SweeTango is a brand of apples that's been developed in Minnesota in 2000. These apples are a hybrid of Zestar and Honeycrisp breeds, and they've been commercially sold since 2009. They are characterized by their loud crunch, and they even hold the Guinness World Record for the loudest crunch of an apple. The flavor is intense, rich, sweet, and tangy, while the apples themselves are red in color with a yellow background.Expand

Golden Delicious is an apple variety that's believed to be a product of unintentional breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It has no connection to the Red Delicious. The original tree was discovered in West Virginia at the end of the 19th century, and it's been the official state fruit since 1995. The apples are large and yellow-green in color. The flavor is very sweet, slightly tart, and aromatic, while the flesh is white in color and the texture is crisp and firm. It's recommended to use Golden Delicious apples in salads or the preparation of apple sauce and apple butter. They can also be paired with savory foods such as cabbage and pork. These apples are harvested from autumn through winter.Expand

Idared is an apple variety that was first developed in Idaho. It's a cross between the Jonathan and Wagener breeds. The apples are medium-sized with a bright red and green-red color. The flesh is juicy, crisp, and firm, while the flavors are sweet, tart, aromatic, and refreshing. Available from fall through early summer, Idared apples are great for cooking and baking because they hold their shape very well. They can also be eaten raw, added to salads, or paired with strong blue cheese.Expand