Kidd's Orange Red Apple

Kidd's Orange Red, named after New Zealand orchard owner James Hutton Kidd, who had a penchant for creating new apple varieties in the early 20th century, stands out as an exceptional "English" style apple. Born out of Kidd's experimentation with crossing Cox's Orange Pippin, a definitive English apple, Kidd's Orange Red achieved a special quality that places it among the outstanding apples of this style.

The apple features a yellow base with an extensive orange-red flush and irregular light russet patches, providing a marbled appearance that contrasts with the super-smooth glossy skins of more modern varieties. The slightly flattened and somewhat lumpy shape adds visual interest. The thin skin covers a light yellow-cream, dense flesh that bites cleanly, offering a firm texture rather than a crunchy one. The flavour is sweet and honeyed, notably sweeter than Cox's Orange Pippin, with a rich sweetness that dominates while still retaining the aromatic complexity of its parent. The apple's chewiness enhances the experience, reminiscent of a good French dessert wine—sweet but with a satisfying kick.

Kidd's Orange Red's sweetness comes from its other parent, Delicious, a 19th-century American seedling variety. Not to be confused with Golden Delicious, Delicious was a major commercial apple variety by Kidd's time and a logical choice for experimentation. Kidd's Orange Red stands as a testament to Kidd's skill, creating an apple with both visual and flavour appeal, making it one of the exceptional "English" style apples available.