Mollie's Delicious Apple

Every so often, an apple comes along that combines beauty, productivity, and flavor so successfully that it becomes a favorite almost immediately. Mollie's Delicious is one such variety. With its attractive red fruit, dependable crops, and early harvest season, it has become a cherished apple among many Southern growers.

Developed at Rutgers University in New Jersey during the mid-twentieth century, Mollie's Delicious was created by crossing Golden Delicious with another carefully selected breeding line. The goal was to produce an early-ripening apple with exceptional eating quality, and the result exceeded expectations.

The tree grows vigorously with a naturally rounded form that becomes increasingly picturesque as it matures. During spring, fragrant white blossoms cover the branches, creating a striking display before giving way to abundant clusters of developing fruit.

The apples are medium to large and mature into an attractive combination of bright red over a warm yellow background. Their smooth skin and colorful appearance often make them among the most eye-catching apples in the orchard.

The flesh is creamy white, crisp, and remarkably juicy. The flavor is richly sweet with just enough acidity to provide balance, often carrying subtle notes of honey and melon. Unlike some early apples that sacrifice quality for earliness, Mollie's Delicious delivers a surprisingly full, complex flavor.

Harvest generally occurs during late summer, bridging the gap between the earliest low-chill apples and the later autumn varieties. This extended harvest season makes it particularly valuable for gardeners hoping to enjoy fresh apples over a longer portion of the year.

The fruit is outstanding for fresh eating and performs well in salads, applesauce, and light baking. While it is not considered a long-storage variety, its exceptional flavor makes it unlikely to remain uneaten for very long.

For Southern orchardists with suitable growing conditions, Mollie's Delicious offers an appealing combination of dependable production, attractive fruit, and excellent flavor. It is a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding apples are not necessarily the most famous, but those that quietly deliver quality year after year.

The Mollies Delicious apple was Introduced in 1966. It is a summer apple not to be confused with Red Delicious strains. Moliie's Delicious apples are attractive, large fruit with unique, slightly conic shape. Ripens late July. Fruit has a yellow background about half covered with a red blush. High quality flesh and great flavor! Stores for about 10 weeks in refrigeration. Vigorous, productive tree. Fruit tends to set in clusters, requiring 2-3 pickings. Excellent pollinator. Some disease resistance. Resistant to cedar apple rust. Requires 400-500 hours of chilling. Zones 5-8. Pollination partners include Granny Smith, Fuji. A great southern apple!