Cloy Tobola wrote:

Any answers/comments are appreciated....

1. When I was a kid, we got "Red Delicious" apples that were. They had
just a hint of green and were firm, tart and wonderful. In the last 10
years (at least), I've noticed that the Red Delicious apples I buy at
the store are soft, yellow and mealy. My mom and a friend noticed the
same thing.
Various other places on the Usenet, I've seen people decrying the
RD apple for it's poor texture and flavor... but they weren't always
that way. What happened to this variety?

The orchards bred all the good taste out of the apple to make it red
and shinny
for market appeal. Also, changes were made to make the apple hold up
under
periods of shipment to the market place. Stark's nursery is selling
what they call
is the original strain of Red Delicious. I haven't heard any feedback
yet as to
the quality of these apples.



2. Growing up in a small town, a local fraternal organization always
had a Christmas party where the kids each got a huge red apple. These
things were giants -- about the size of a softball -- and they were
tasty too. Anyone know about such a variety and where I could get
some?

There are probably a good number of apples that come close to meeting
that criteria. Possibly a 'Wolf River', although that one is stripped
red
over pale yellow.

Sherwin Dubren



Thanks! -Cloy