Apples Named After U.S. States
In this newsletter I am sharing apples that are named after different states. Check the list to see which ones you have heard of.
Earlier this week I shared about the history of the Arkansas Black apple on the podcast. You can listen to that episode right here!
Today I wanted to share all the apple varieties I know of that are named after states:
Arkansas Black
Virginia Gold
Empire (coming up in a future podcast episode!)
Hampshire
Hawaii
Hawkeye (the original name for Red Delicious)
Jersey Mac (early strain of McIntosh)
Carolina Red (also known as Red June)
Oregon Spur (type of Red Delicious)
Have you tried any of these apples? Let me know in the comments section.
A couple apple varieties on this list are types of Red Delicious. Did you know that Hawkeye was the name for the original strain of Red Delicious? It’s name was changed to be more marketable. The name “Hawkeye” comes from the Hawkeye state, Iowa just as the name “Empire” comes from the Empire State, New York. The Oregon Spur is a strain of Red Delicious discovered in Oregon.
The Hawaii apple, which is yellow skin apple, did not actually originate in Hawaii, it’s from California. It’s a cross between Gravenstein and Golden Delicious, that I personally don’t think it anything special.
The Rhode Island Greening apple is one of my favorite baking apple and is the state apple of the state of Rhode Island.
The name “Ida” in Ida Red is short for Idaho where it originated. And the Hampshire apple originated in Contoocook, New Hampshire in 1978. It’s an apple that is similar to McIntosh.
Did I miss any apple? If you know of another apple named after a U.S. state, let me know in the comments.
Learn about what apple varieties are best to eat during each month of the year -
Listen to the latest episode of my apple podcast -
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I hoped you enjoyed today’s newsletter.
Ida Red