National Eat a Red Apple Day is celebrated on December 1 each year. It's a simple, healthy food holiday that encourages everyone to enjoy a crisp red apple, whether it's a Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp or McIntosh. Apples are one of America's most popular fruits, and early December is a great time to enjoy late-season varieties from cold storage, slice them into salads or bake them into warm winter desserts.
History of National Eat a Red Apple Day
The apples we eat today trace their ancestry to wild apple forests in the mountains of Kazakhstan, where the species Malus sieversii still grows. Traders carried apples along the Silk Road to the Middle East and Europe, and the Romans spread apple growing across their empire. European colonists brought apple seeds and cuttings to North America in the 1600s.
One of America's best-known red apples began as a chance seedling. In the 1870s, Iowa farmer Jesse Hiatt found a tree growing in his orchard that produced unusually sweet, striped red fruit. He called it the Hawkeye. In the 1890s, the Stark Bro's nursery bought the rights, renamed it Red Delicious and promoted it nationwide. For much of the 20th century, Red Delicious was the most produced apple in the United States, until Gala overtook it in 2018.
Today, the United States grows thousands of apple varieties, and Washington State produces the majority of the country's apples. Many popular modern varieties, such as Honeycrisp, were developed by university breeding programs. Who created National Eat a Red Apple Day is not documented.
Why National Eat a Red Apple Day Matters
Apples are an easy, affordable and portable snack. They provide fiber and vitamin C, and eating the skin adds extra nutrients.
The day also celebrates American agriculture. Apple orchards support farmers and rural communities from Washington and New York to Michigan and Pennsylvania, and many families make apple picking an annual tradition.
It's also a chance to taste the difference between varieties. Red apples range from sweet and mild to tart and complex, and trying a few side by side is a fun way to discover a new favorite.
How to Celebrate National Eat a Red Apple Day
- Eat a red apple: enjoy one fresh, with or without the peel.
- Hold a taste test: compare Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp.
- Bake something warm: make baked apples with cinnamon and oats.
- Pack a healthy snack: slice apples with peanut butter or cheese.
- Support local growers: buy apples from a farmers market or orchard store.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, put out a bowl of red apples in the break room with a few dips like caramel or nut butter (label allergens). In classrooms, students can taste-test apple varieties and graph their favorites, cut apples to explore fractions, or learn how apple seeds don't grow 'true' to the parent tree. At home, families can make baked apples or applesauce, bob for apple slices, or try a new red variety from the grocery store. Wash apples well before eating, and slice them for young children to prevent choking.
Fun Facts About National Eat a Red Apple Day
- Wild ancestors of the apple still grow in Kazakhstan.
- Red Delicious began as a chance seedling found in Iowa in the 1870s.
- Washington State grows the majority of U.S. apples.
National Eat a Red Apple Day FAQs
When is National Eat a Red Apple Day?
National Eat a Red Apple Day is celebrated on December 1 every year.
What is the most popular red apple?
Gala is now the most produced apple in the U.S.; Red Delicious held that title for most of the 20th century.
Where do apples come from originally?
Apples descend from wild apples that grew in the mountains of Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
Which state grows the most apples?
Washington State grows the majority of apples in the United States.
Should I eat the apple peel?
Yes, the peel contains fiber and nutrients; just wash the apple first.
How can I celebrate National Eat a Red Apple Day?
Eat a fresh red apple, try a new variety, or bake a simple apple dessert.