Red delicious apple

Washington grows the most apples in the country, according to the Washington Apple Commission. Washington's 175,000 acres of orchards produce 10–12 billion apples annually, the largest agricultural output in the state. Nearly 200 years ago, apples were introduced to the state. According to History Link, the first apple seeds were sent by steamboat from London to Fort Vancouver, Washington, home of the British-owned Hudson Bay Company. The state's mild, the wet environment caused seedlings to thrive and flourish. By the 1940s, early pioneers had learned that farmers could ensure the kind of apple that would develop by grafting seedling branches onto rootstocks. After this discovery, Washington quickly established itself as a successful commercial apple-producing state.

By the 1960s, 80% of the state's apple crop was made up of the wildly popular Red Delicious and its relative, Golden Delicious (via History Link). The Washington Apple Commission continues, "The red fruit has a crisp texture and a consistent heart-shaped shape, offering the typical apple flavor". Although apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Gala are now among the most popular types, the juicy, sweet Red Delicious will always be a favorite for snacking, baking, and giving to your favorite teachers.