Apple

The king of Himalayan orchards. Apple is the primary commercial fruit across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

Red Delicious

Malus domestica

Discovered in Iowa in 1872 by Jesse Hiatt as the "Hawkeye," the Red Delicious was commercialized by Stark Bro's Nursery and rose to become the undisputed king of the global apple i...

Discovered in Iowa in 1872 by Jesse Hiatt as the "Hawkeye," the Red Delicious was commercialized by Stark Bro's Nursery and rose to become the undisputed king of the global apple industry throughout the 20th century. Celebrated for its iconic five-pointed crown, deep crimson skin, and exceptional shelf life, it dominated commercial orchards for decades. However, as modern breeding increasingly prioritized thick, cosmetic skin and uniform color over flavor and texture, the variety earned a reputation for mealy, bland flesh, leading consumers to favor crisper alternatives like Honeycrisp and Gala. Today, successful cultivation relies heavily on specific climatic conditions: orchards thrive at higher elevations between 5000 and 9000 feet, where dramatic temperature drops promote rich pigmentation, and require 800 to 1,000 winter chill hours below 45°F (7°C) to break dormancy and ensure uniform spring bloom and fruit set.

Altitude Range

Relative to other Apple varieties

1,000 ft 4,500 ft to 8,500 ft 9,000 ft

Chilling Hours

Relative to other Apple varieties

1,000
hours
200 1,000

Ideal Temperature

Relative to other Apple varieties

-4°C -4°C to 29°C 35°C

Days to Maturity

145d
100d 180d

Flowering

Mid

Harvest Window

Late September – Mid October

Rain Tolerance

Medium

Available soon

Storage Life

Good

Storage Duration

1mo 5mo 10mo

Market Demand

High

Export Quality

Certified

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