They have smooth, glossy greenish-yellow skin almost completely covered with very dark red or purple, and faint dots of russet.
Inside, they have tender, juicy, finely-textured yellowish-green tinged flesh, which is sweet but not overwhelmingly so. The flavour ranges from spicy to hints of cherry and almond to having pear-like undertones, depending on the year.
The fruit ripens early October in Virginia.
Cooking Tips
For fresh-eating, and preserves.
Storage Hints
Stores well.
History Notes
Virginia Beauty Apples were first grown from a seed planted in 1810 by a Zach Safewright in his backyard in Pipers Gap, Carroll County (Grayson County at the time), Virginia, USA. The apple acquired the name of “Virginia Beauty” in the 1850s. The original tree stood until 1914.
Up to the early 1900s, the apples were as popular as Red Delicious apples became in the late 1900s.