Red-Fleshed Apples

This group of apples has the distinction of red flesh under an apple skin of regular appearance. I have been a collector of redflesh apples for several years, but please note this page is just an index to more authoritative sources. I am not an expert. Pictures below.

There is a wealth of experience below. Visit their sites.

Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, California.
www.greenmantlenursery.com/fruit/rosetta-apples.htm
(Ram Fishman, the authority on Albert Etter, breeder of a line of redfleshed apples from the variety "Surprise". Ram's website has some amazing photographs and tells the story of how he rescued genetically valuable apple varieties from Etter's abandoned experimental orchard many years later. Make sure you visit this site. The seven red-fleshed apples he propogates and sells are known as the Rosetta apples and are indicated below "Property of Greenmantle Nursery").

Four Seasons Cabins, Hocking Hills Nursery, Logan, Ohio, USA.
www.fourseasonscabinrental.com/redfleshedapples.html
(Derek Mills, apple collector, grower of thirty-one varieties of red-fleshed apple)

Tree-Mendus Orchards, Eau Claire, Michigan, USA.
www.tree-mendus.com/articles/red_fleshed_apples.html
(article by Theo Grootendorst, 30-year owner of Southmeadow Nursery. Tree-Mendus sell five red-fleshed apple trees: Hidden Rose, Pink Pearl, Surprise, Almata and Pink Sparkle, and the Tree-Mendus Orchards are owned by Herb & Liz Teichman.)

Siloam Orchards, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.
www.siloamorchards.com/apple_tr.html
(comprehensive fruit catalogue and information)

Deacon's Fruit Nursery, Godshill, IOW, England.
www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk
(comprehensive apple catalogue; more information than most textbooks)


THE VARIETIES

My sources of information are numbered 1-8 after each apple. These numbers refer to:

1. Siloam's online fruit catalogue, from Ontario
2. Joan Morgan and Alison Richards: The book of Apples, 1993, Ebury Press.
3. Own remarks, based on my limited experience (N.D, Leicestershire, UK)
4. Remarks by an apple collector friend living in Pennsylvania.
5. Graham Deacon, Deacon's Nurseries, IOW.
6. Derek Mills' website, Four Seasons Cabins, Ohio.
7. Ram Fishman's website, Greenmantle Nurseries, California .
8. Tree-Mendus website, article by Theo Grootendorst, Michigan.

PICTURES
The pictures below are mine. As more trees blossom and fruit, or people send photos, more will be added.

The Greenmantle nursery has spectacular pictures of its seven Rosetta apples.

I am responsible for any errors in the list which follows. Corrections and additions - and pictures - are welcome - please email. All contributions will be credited.

So... the varieties:-


AIRLIE RED FLESH
Also known as Hidden Rose (see below).

ALMATA
1942 South Dakota, USA .(Beautiful Arcade x Fluke 38) x Redflesh cross. Medium size; solid red skin covered with a greying bloom. Striking watermelon red flesh, tart flavor. Makes excellent apple sauce and can be used for pickling.

Ripens in late July to August. (6)

Pink cortex wood, red-green leaves. (3)

The red pigment is pervasive in the fruit, flowers, the leaf and the wood under the bark. Solid purplish-red skin with striking red flesh. (8)

APRICOT APPLE
Orange flesh, large, round orange-red apple. Flesh is very crisp. Sweet tart flavour; ripens in late October. (6)

BALDWIN RED FLESH
No information.

BELLE FLEUR KRASNY
Russian; raised by Michurin; sweet, red-stained white flesh. Part descendant of Niedzwetzkyana. (4)
Tania Scully (Syracuse, New York) tells me that Krasny is Russian for "red".

BILL'S RED FLESH
Also known as Scarlet Surprise. (4)

BLUSH ROSETTE
Property of Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, CA. (7) Ripens Sept. Can suffer heat damage in some years. Pink flesh through cream background. Aromatic, rich flavour high in acids and sugar. (7)

BROWN'S APPLE
Early Devon sharp cider apple. Pictures from Mark Shirley of Rockinghamforest Cider..



BURFORD'S RED FLESH
Discovered by Tom Burford, U.S. Cortex wood is red stained. Not to be confused with Burford Red, English apple from Oxfordshire(3).

BURGUNDY
Mentioned on one U.S. site (Bob Sorenson, Native Wines, Mt. Pleasant, Utah) as a cider variety.

CLIFFORD
American. Medium size fruit; solid red skin with light russeting. Red flesh, juicy, very tart flavor. Ripens mid September. (6)

Relative of "Doctor Clifford" (England) ? (3)

CHRISTMAS PINK
Property of Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, CA. (7)

Deep pink flesh; creamy translucent skin. Brisk, tart. Stored fruit mellow into rich flavour, melting flesh by Christmas, hence the name. (7)

DEVONSHIRE QUARRENDEN
Not a red-fleshed apple unless the year is warm and sunny, when there's a distinct pink colouration. Parent of DISCOVERY (q.v.)



DISCOVERY
(1949 Essex, England, UK) (JRHS) Worcester Pearmain x Beauth of Bath (?) cross Medium to large size, skin greenish yellow flushed bright red, light dots, fine scattered russet, solid russet at base. Flesh crisp, yellowish white tinged pink. (6)



This isn't really a red fleshed apple, but some pink staining is found just under the skin in sunny years. (Merton Knave, Devonshire Quarrenden (q.V) and Laxton's Fortune also show this trait) It's quite acidic at the start of the season. Early; not worth keeping more than a day or two.(3)

FIRECRACKER
Remarks by "Dave", Airlie, Oregon: "I found your site while looking for information on the Airlie Red apple - I live about 15 miles SE of Airlie, became interested in it when researching what types of apple to plant. Jim Gilbert of Northwood's Nursery (www.onegreenworld.com) stocks this apple and other red-fleshed types". His picture shows bright red skin and crimson flesh....C.P. tells me that this apple is the same as "Bill's Redflesh" / Scarlet Surprise. ND.

GENEVA
Seedling of Niedzweckyana. Medium size fruit. Red skin, dark red foliage. Red flesh, very tart flavor. Can be used for cider, ripens late August to early September. (6)

GEORGE'S RED
Similar to Red Devil in appearance but pre-dating it by about 100 years. Original tree located by George Humphrey, Roundbush, Essex, where it is growing on an ancient parish boundary. The tree has been propogated. Cortex wood is pink, leaves have a stronger reddish tint than most other redfleshed apples.(3)



GIANT RUSSIAN
Small to medium size fruit. Red skin, dark red foliage. Red flesh, very tart flavor. Ripens late August to early September. (6)

GLOWING HEART 
One of Fred Jansen's selections, described as looking like a beet inside and out due to its very deep purple / red colouring. Ripens September, quite tart.(1)

Very cold hardy. (4)

GRENADINE   
This Albert Etter apple ( 1940 ) has the deepest and darkest purplish red flesh, dull grayish transparent skin and has been compared to a pomegranate. Late ripening, brisk at harvest, mellowing after a few weeks in storage. (1)

California, USA, medium to large size fruit. Solid red skin, medium pink flesh, tart flavour. Developed by Greenmantle Nursery. (6)

Property of Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, CA. (7)

Ripens mid-Nov on tree at Greenmantle nursery, but probably best picked Oct and stored. Very heavily pigmented flesh; darkest of the Rosetta group. (7)

HALL'S PINK
No info, but cortex wood is green. (3)

HANSEN'S RED FLESH
No information.

HARRY BAKER
Rosy blooms, large red fruit, dark red flesh. Good for crab apple jelly. (4)

HIDDEN ROSE
Also known as Airlie Redflesh. (4) Airlie, Oregon, USA. Medium size conical fruit. Dark red flesh with a crisp texture and sweet tart flavor. Ripens in late September. (6)

Green cortex wood; leaves green. (3)

LAURA
H. Ermen variety. Dwarf columnar crab, pink/white flowers, dark green leaves, medium size maroon fruits with dark red flesh. Good for jelly. (4)

MERTON KNAVE
Not really a red fleshed variety, but flesh has a pink hue in some years. Early apple; good flavour, but not worth storing for more than 1-2 days.



MOTT'S PINK
Cortex wood green. One of the better-flavoured redfleshed apples.



NIEDZWECKYANA
Small to medium size fruit. Solid red skin, dark red flesh, tart flavour. Ripens in October. (6)

PEACH MELBA
Medium to large size fruit. Yellowish orange skin with red blush and some russeting. Orange flesh, tart flavor. Ripens late September. (6)

PINK BEAUTY
No information 

PINK BOUQUET
No information    

PINK PEARL  

From the noted California plant breeder Alfred Etter in 1944. Bright pink flesh and crimson pink blossoms. The fruit is crisp with a sweet/tart flavor, conical shape; skin is a creamy pale green. Parent is red-fleshed Surprise.(1) This apple was the Etter Surprise hybrid singled out for patenting and official introduction in the mid 1940s. (7)

1944 Humboldt County, California, USA. Medium size fruit. Cream and light green skin blushed with a red cheek. Rich flavor. Excellent dessert quality and for making apple sauce and pies. Ripens late August to September. (6)

Cortex wood is green. (3)

PINK PARFAIT
Property of Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, CA. (7)

Large fruit; best flavoured and latest of the Rosetta apples. Flesh is mottled pink and cream. Ripens end-Nov. Needs long growing season. (7)

PINK PERMAIN
Found growing in an old orchard near Whale Gulch, California, USA by Ram and Marissa Fishman of Greenmantle Nursery. Thought to be one of Albert Etter's apples. Medium to large size. Red with red stripes when ripe. Flesh color deep pink. Tart, mildly sweet, aromatic flavor. Ripens late September.(6)

Property of Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, CA. (7)

Also known as Pink Sparkle. (4) Must be fully ripe for maximum sweetness and colour. Ripens early September. Late blossom. Does better if climate not too hot. (7)

PINK PRINCESS 
Fred Janson of Ontario developed this pink fleshed variety, originally named Pink Lady. He did not patent the name, as he did not believe in fruit patents, and an Australian variety was subsequently patented as Pink Lady, which is the one now available commercially. In 1997, Mr. Janson changed the name of his apple to Pink Princess which has pastel to dark pink flesh, is sweet/tart and aromatic, medium sized, skin color is carmine striping over pink. The parentage is Pink Pearl x King of the Pippins. (1)

PINK SPARKLE aka Pink Permain (see above).

RAVEN
Waldren Island, Washington, USA. Small to medium sized apple. In full sun the skin is dark burgundy, almost black. Yields bright red juice with excellent flavor. Makes good dried fruit, wine and cider. Ripens late October. (6)

RED DEVIL
Mid season dessert apple, scarlet flushed skin with pronounced bloom on skin. Does not keep. Good decorative tree; slender, good cropper; somewhat prone to scab in Leicestershire. Pink blossom. Cortex wood is pink; leaves dark reddish-green.(3)

Raised 1975 by Harry Ermen, Faversham, Kent. Discovery x Kent. Strong fruity taste, some strawberry flavour; crisp, juicy, pink stained flesh. Produces pink juice. Pick late Sept. Store until Oct-Dec.(2)

Ideal garden cultivar, superb flavour, with pink juice. Tip and spur bearing. (5)

RED FLESH
Niedzweckyana x Malus Ioensis cross. Medium to large size deep red fruit with russeting on crown. Makes a clear red jelly. (6)

REDFIELD
1938 Geneva, New York, USA. Wolf River x Niedzweckyana cross. Medium to large, waxy pink to red fruit with russeting. Deep red flesh is slightly dry making it excellent for baking. Produces an exceptional jelly or blood red cider or vinegar. Ripens in October. (6)

REDFORD
1938 Geneva, New York, USA. Wolf River x Niedzweckyana. Medium to large size fruit, flesh red. (6)

RED HOOK
(1938 US) McIntosh x Carlton cross. Medium to large light red fruit blushed with dark red. Pink flesh that is firm, coarse, juicy and subacid. Ripens in September. (6)

RED MILLER'S SEEDLING
An old market favourite variety. Striking red stripes. Very early season; self-fertile. Compact tree. Worcester type flesh: crisp and tangy. Flesh tinged pink. (5)

RUBAIYAT
California, USA. Developed by Ram and Marissa Fishman of Greenmantle Nursery. (6)

Property of Greenmantle Nursery. (7) "Gem" of the Rosetta-Apple collection. Radiant red inside and out.Ripens late - Oct. (7)

SCARLET SURPRISE
Also known as Bill's Redflesh. (4) Cortex wood is dark red; leaves predominantly red. (3)

SCUGOG
Seedling of Niedzweckyana. Red flesh. (6)

SURFLEET SOUR
Seedling found in Surfleet, Norfolk. Ready Oct. Acidic, reddish flesh some years; other years no trace of colour. Cooker with dessert character later in the season. The tree has been propogated. (3)



SURPRISE      
The name refers to its startling red flesh that lies under a pale yellow skin. Listed in USA nursery catalogues as early as 1824. European origin, unknown parentage. (1)

Predominantly yellow, smooth skinned, midseason cooker and dessert; received 1905 RHS Wisley. Cooked, keeps shape or makes stiff puree; brightyellow; sweet, rich flavour. Culinary flavour fades by New Year, by which time it serves as a pleasant eating apple.(2) no mention of red colour, surprisingly- N.D.

One of the parents of Pink Pearl. (6)

First noted in 1831 catalogue of fruits, garden of Horticultural Soc. of London, Chiswick. (8)

THORNBERRY 
One of Albert Etter's red fleshed varieties, found growing in an abandoned orchard near Whitehorn California. The skin is translucent yellow that when fully ripe reveals a hint of the raspberry pink flesh inside. The flavor is spright, refreshing and berry-like. Ripens late season, in October and hangs well on the tree. (1)

Thornberry is a registered trademark of Greenmantle nursery. (6)(7)

Similar appearance to Pink Pearl but smaller and less translucent skin. Flesh is colour of raspberry ice cream. Some susceptibility to scab.(7)

WATERMELON
Medium size fruit, light red skin. Crisp, juicy, medium pink flesh. (6)

WEBSTER'S PINKMEAT
Medium Sized fruit. Greenish yellow skin with red blush. Crisp, juicy, medium pink flesh. (6)

Cortex wood pink. Leaves red - bronze.(3)

WINTER REDFLESH  
A winter hardy red fleshed variety with purple flowers and bronze-red foliage. Sasha x Redflesh cross. (1)

Medium size fruit, red skin, red flesh. Purple blossoms and bronze red leaves. Ripens mid October. (6)

WISLEY CRAB
Very large-fruited crab apple, conical; red stained throughout. (4) Flavour average; sometimes like juiceless watermelon (3). Photo from Deacon's Nursery, Isle of Wight. Beautiful red blossom; highly decorative.

...... ......


SOURCES

1. Siloam Orchards' Fruit Catalogue, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.
www.siloamorchards.com/apple_tr.html

2. The Book of Apples, by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards, Ebury Press, 1993.

3. Own remarks (N.D.)

4. Remarks by C.P., an apple enthusiast and collector in Pennsylvania, who has kindly written some comments on growing red-fleshed apples for us.

5. Remarks from Deacon's Fruit Nursery, Godshill, IOW, England.
www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk

6. Remarks by Derek Mills, Four Seasons Cabins, Hocking Hills Nursery, Ohio .
www.fourseasonscabinrental.com/redfleshedapples.html

7. Notes from Greenmantle Nursery, Garberville, California.
www.greenmantlenursery.com/fruit/rosetta-apples.htm

8. Article by Theo Grootendorst, 30-year ex-owner of Southmeadow Nursery, writing for "Tree-Mendus" website, Michigan.
www.tree-mendus.com/articles/red_fleshed_apples.html

compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website

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