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Red Prince apple

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Red Prince was discovered growing as a chance seedling in a commercial orchard near Weert in the Netherlands, not far from the border with Germany, in 1994.  It is also widely known as Red Jonaprince.  As the name suggests, it is almost entirely red at the time of harvest.

It appears to be a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious varieties, both of which were being grown in the area.  This makes it a sibling of Jonagold, which shares the same parentage.

Some authorities believe it is a natural sport mutation of Jonagold rather than a seedling.  However since it was discovered as a tree, rather than as a mutated branch of an existing tree, it seems more likely to be a true seedling.  Another factor suggesting it is a seedling is that it ripens several weeks earlier than Jonagold, which would be unusual for a sport mutation.

Red Prince is grown commercially in Ontario, Canada.  It is marketed as a winter apple, since it benefits from a time in storage before eating.

More information about the origins of Red Prince can be found on the Global Fruit website.

USDA identification images for Red Prince

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 27 Jan 2023 
      Brilliant cherry red. Perfect sweetness, juiciness and crispness with lingering hints of tropical fruit. There is no other apple quite like it, but it's only available to be enjoyed for a limited time-- generally the first half of the year. Pity it's not grown more widely.
    • 21 Jan 2023 
      juicy, tart, not sweet and no taste , no interest in buying more
    • 15 Mar 2021  NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
      A crisp and juicy apple that is delicious for snacking. Yellow yet firm flesh, with a sweet taste overall, very deep notes of honey and tartness varies from fruit to fruit in my experience. A new favourite, no doubt.
    • 14 Mar 2021  DORSET, United Kingdom
      New to me. Grown in Kent, UK. 500/60mm. beautiful shape, colour, dense texture, medium crisp, very juicy, sweet with just enough balancing acidity, delightful rose perfume. Will definitely buy again, I suspect the smaller size is preferable. I always prefer Cox's Orange Pippin when available but this is a worthy alternative.
    • 26 Sep 2020  NJ, United States
      This is an exceptional eating apple. At this point in time I believe it is my favorite.
    • 09 Oct 2012  ONTARIO, Canada
      I believe this to be a truly outstanding eating apple - wonderful flavour, nice balance of sweet to tart, super crisp and juicey. My favourite variety. I've only eaten Ontario (Canada) grown - might differ by climate.
    • 09 Mar 2012  TX, United States
      This apple showed up in Central Texas in the first week of March. Beautiful--the pale lenticels are striking. Pale yellow flesh, very crisp. Sweet-tart taste, and the first one I ate had a very distinct and pleasant rose aroma and taste. The second was not so perfumed, but still a nice apple.
    • 22 Jun 2011  ONTARIO, Canada
      I have eaten out-of-hand and cooked with this apple. A wonderful, sweet and tangy flavour. Jucier than average. Firm apple.

    Tree register

    Ireland

    Norway

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 7th May  2022  - tree owned by James in Glynn,, Ireland

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Thought to be Jonathan x Golden Delicious
    • Originates from: Weert, Netherlands
    • Introduced: 1994
    • Developed by: Wilton Weert B.V.

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Netherlands
    • Fruit colour: Red

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary

    Growing

    • Flowering group: 5
    • Pollinating others: Poor
    • Ploidy: Triploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Red Prince:

    United States




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