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12 Worst Rated North American Pome Fruits

Last update: Thu Mar 27 2025
12 Worst Rated North American Pome Fruits
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01

Apple Variety

DRYDEN, United States of America
2.9
Cameo apples
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Cameo is an apple variety originating from Dryden, Washington, when it was discovered in 1987 by the Caudle family. It is believed that these apples are a cross between Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, but the parentage is still uncertain.


The apples are covered in red strips and the skin is thin and delicate. The flesh is creamy and dense, with a juicy and crisp texture. The flavor is sweet and tart with notes of citrus and honey. Available from late fall through early spring, Cameo apples are typically used in sweet and savory dishes such as cobblers, quiches, sandwiches, and salads. 
02

Apple Variety

LAFAYETTE, United States of America
2.9
Enterprise apples
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Enterprise is a North American apple variety that's been developed in 1982 by Purdue University, and it was released and named in 1992. The apples are medium to large in size. The skin is smooth, tough, thick, and glossy red in color with a yellow or green background.


The flesh is pale yellow in color, while the texture is crisp, juicy, and firm. These apples are most commonly used for candied apples, which are especially popular on Halloween in the United States. They are also often eaten fresh as a snack.

03

Apple Variety

OLD PERU, United States of America
3.1
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Red Delicious is one of the world's most common apple varieties, dating back to 1880, when it was discovered by Jesse Hiatt in Iowa. The apples were first known as Hawkeye, then Stark Delicious, and it wasn't until the emergence of Golden Delicious that these apples were renamed Red Delicious.


They have a bright red color, medium size, and a tall conical shape. The flavor is sweet, but very mild, slightly reminiscent of over-ripe melons. The texture of the flesh is juicy and slightly crisp, sometimes cardboardy, while the skin is usually very tough. 
04

Apple Variety

NEW YORK, United States of America
3.4
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Cortland is an American apple variety dating back to 1898, when it was raised at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and named after Cortland County. These apples are bright red with dark red streaks, and often a green blush.


The flesh is white and juicy, while the flavors are tart and sweet. Cortlands are a cross between the Ben Davis and the McIntosh. It's recommended to use the apples in cooking, for making apple sauce, apple butter, and juices, but they're also eaten fresh when available (in fall through spring). 
05

Apple Variety

NEW YORK, United States of America
3.5
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Empire is an apple variety that was cultivated as a hybrid between McIntosh and Red Delicious in Geneva, New York in 1945. The apples are bright red in color with faint white striations and a light green blush. The flesh is creamy white in color, while the texture is crisp and juicy.


The flavor is sweet and tart. Available from fall until mid-winter, Empire apples are usually baked, sautéed, or roasted. When fresh, they're used in salads or coleslaw. It's recommended to pair them with sharp cheeses, pears, pumpkin, and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

06

Apple Variety

NEW YORK, United States of America
3.6
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Jonathan is an apple variety that's believed to have originated in Woodstock, New York in 1826. This apple is a parent to many other varieties such as Jonagold, Jonafree, and Jonamac. The apples are medium-sized with a thin red skin and yellow or green blushes.


The texture of the flesh is juicy and crisp, while the flavors are mildly sweet, tart, and tangy with hints of spice. Available in the fall, Jonathan apples are usually cooked or eaten fresh. It's recommended to add slices to tarts, purees, soups, or use it in pies and sauces. 
07

Apple Variety

MINNESOTA, United States of America
3.6
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Sweet Sixteen is an American apple variety originating from Minnesota and dating back to 1973, when it was developed as a cross between Malinda and Northern Spy by the University of Minnesota. The apples are large and conical, with a greenish-yellow skin and red stripes.


Beneath the skin, the texture of the flesh is coarse and crisp, while the flavors are sweet with spicy hints and a slightly tart aftertaste. Sweet Sixteen apples ripen in fall and it’s recommended to use them in desserts and baking.

08

Apple Variety

WEST VIRGINIA, United States of America
3.7
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Golden Delicious is an apple variety that's believed to be a product of unintentional breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It has no connection to the Red Delicious. The original tree was discovered in West Virginia at the end of the 19th century, and it's been the official state fruit since 1995.


The apples are large and yellow-green in color. The flavor is very sweet, slightly tart, and aromatic, while the flesh is white in color and the texture is crisp and firm. It's recommended to use Golden Delicious apples in salads or the preparation of apple sauce and apple butter. 
09

Apple Variety

BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
3.7
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Spartan is a Canadian apple variety that's been developed in 1936 in British Columbia by Dr. R. C. Palmer. Its identity is still a mystery, and all that's known is that these apples are a hybrid of McIntosh and an unknown apple variety.


The apples are bright red to dark purple red in color. The flesh is white, and its texture is very juicy. The flavors are sweet, tart, and aromatic, but they become sweeter once stored in a cold place. Available in fall and early winter, Spartans are typically used in cooking and the preparation of desserts because the flesh holds its shape well once cooked. 
10

Apple Variety

WASHINGTON, United States of America
3.8
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Cosmic Crisp (known to experts as WA 38) is an American apple variety that's a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise. Grown in Washington State orchards, the apples are large, red, crunchy, juicy, acidic, and sweet.


They can be eaten as they are or baked. These apples ripen more uniformly than other apple varieties, and once picked, they even brown more slowly than the other apples. Another key factor is their lengthy shelf life – apparently, Cosmic Crisp apples can stay fresh in the fridge for up to a year! 
11
Apple Variety
MOSCOW, United States of America
3.8
12
Apple Variety
MINNESOTA, United States of America
3.9

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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North American Pome Fruits