Manzana Red Delicious | XFCY #100's | C-CTN ±18 Kg
The Red Delicious apple (Malus domestica) is one of the world's most recognized red apple cultivars, appreciated for its deep-red skin, elegant elongated shape, white flesh and predominantly sweet flavor. Grown in Washington, United States, and marketed under the Independent® brand, it stands out for its attractive appearance and pleasant aromatic profile, featuring subtle notes of honey and ripe fruit.
Its approximately 18 Kg cardboard carton, commercially classified as XFCY (Extra Fancy) and size #100's, is especially suitable for supermarkets, fresh produce retailers, restaurants, hotels and foodservice establishments seeking visually appealing apples for fresh consumption.
Organoleptic Properties
Elongated, conical and slightly heart-shaped fruit with pronounced shoulders and five characteristic lobes at the blossom end. The skin is smooth, moderately thick and ranges from bright red to deep dark red, sometimes displaying subtle stripes or darker tones depending on the commercial strain, maturity and growing conditions.
The flesh is white to creamy white, fine-textured, juicy and moderately firm to crisp when maintained under optimal freshness conditions. Its flavor is predominantly sweet, with low acidity, complemented by delicate aromatic notes reminiscent of honey, ripe pear and mild floral nuances.
Unlike more acidic apple cultivars, Red Delicious offers a mild, low-acid flavor profile. Flesh firmness and texture may decline during extended storage, making appropriate postharvest handling essential to minimize mealiness.
Suggested Uses
Particularly recommended for fresh consumption, snacks, lunch boxes, fruit salads, bowls, yogurt, oatmeal, granola, fruit platters and buffets. Its striking red coloration provides an attractive visual contrast in fresh fruit presentations.
In contemporary cuisine, it pairs well with fresh cheeses, brie, cheddar, blue cheese, pecans, almonds, peanut butter, honey and cinnamon. It can also be incorporated into salads featuring celery, walnuts, leafy greens and light dressings, including Waldorf-style preparations.
Other suitable applications include fresh juices, smoothies, purées, compotes and sweet sauces. Although Red Delicious can be used in baking, its flesh generally softens during cooking, so firmer cultivars may be preferable for pies and tarts that require slices to retain their shape.
To preserve freshness, serve shortly after cutting or add a few drops of lemon juice when preparing dishes that will remain exposed to air.
Format
Cardboard carton (CTN-BX) containing approximately 18 Kg of fresh Red Delicious apples, Independent® brand, originating from Washington, United States.
XFCY (Extra Fancy): commercial abbreviation identifying a higher-quality apple grade. Both Washington Extra Fancy and U.S. Extra Fancy standards establish requirements concerning maturity, shape, coloration, condition and defect tolerances. The precise grade applicable to this lot should be confirmed on its original packaging label.
Size #100's: nominal count of 100 apples per standard carton. Based on an approximately 18 Kg carton, this represents a theoretical average fruit weight near 180 g per apple, subject to weight tolerances and packer specifications.
Actual fruit count, internal arrangement and net weight should correspond to the supplier's original commercial presentation.
Storage and Handling
For commercial storage, maintain preferably at approximately 0–1 °C (32–34 °F) and 90–95% relative humidity, preserving a consistent cold chain.
These conditions help maintain firmness, juiciness, texture and overall eating quality. Red Delicious apples can be stored for extended periods using refrigeration and controlled-atmosphere systems, although proper postharvest management is essential to minimize firmness loss and physiological disorders.
Avoid impacts, excessive compression, dehydration and temperature fluctuations. Important storage concerns include superficial scald, internal browning and texture deterioration.
Apples produce ethylene, so storage near particularly ethylene-sensitive produce should be avoided. For household consumption, refrigerate and wash before eating.
Quality and Selection Criteria
Select apples that are firm, well developed, characteristically conical, intact-skinned and attractively red, without severe bruising, decay, shriveling or soft spots.
The flesh should retain creamy-white coloration, adequate juiciness, firm texture and a fresh, sweet flavor, without excessive mealiness, fermentation or internal browning.
For Extra Fancy classifications, appearance, uniformity, maturity and freedom from significant defects are essential quality considerations. Evaluation should follow the specific grade declared by the packer, whether a United States or Washington State standard.
Intense red coloration is an important commercial characteristic, although skin color alone should not be considered a definitive indicator of sweetness or internal maturity.
Season
Red Delicious is a fall-harvested apple cultivar, with harvesting in Washington generally concentrated during September and October, depending on growing region and seasonal weather conditions.
Thanks to its favorable storage potential and the use of refrigeration and controlled-atmosphere systems, Red Delicious can remain commercially available throughout much of the year, including many months beyond its original harvest season.
Washington is one of the leading apple-producing regions in the United States, where climate conditions, day-to-night temperature variations and modern storage systems support the production and distribution of high-quality fresh apples.
Origin
Washington,USA.
The Red Delicious apple originated in Iowa, United States, where it was discovered during the nineteenth century on the farm of Jesse Hiatt. Originally known as Hawkeye, the apple attracted attention for its flavor and appearance and was subsequently commercialized by the Stark Brothers nursery, which popularized it under the name Delicious.
Over time, numerous naturally occurring color mutations, known as sports, were selected and propagated, leading to commercial strains with deeper red coloration, improved visual uniformity and distinctive fruit shapes.
One interesting botanical distinction is that Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are separate apple cultivars, despite sharing the Delicious name. Red Delicious is particularly recognizable for its five prominent lobes at the blossom end, elongated silhouette and rich red skin.
This combination of American fruit-growing heritage, attractive appearance and naturally sweet flavor has made Red Delicious one of the most iconic apple cultivars in international fresh fruit commerce.
