King Luscious

Why you should be excited

King Luscious is a tasty red apple from North Carolina that has a modest following in the U.S. south.

The story of King Luscious

With a name that's perhaps a touch excessively boastful, King Luscious was actually a somewhat modest addition to the apple lineup of the U.S. south when it was discovered by chance near Hendersonville, North Carolina back in 1935.

It won favour for its nice flavour and appearance and its ability to keep well into the winter. As a result, King Luscious was planted by several small commercial orchards in the region, although it never quite attained star status.

Tasty and pleasantly subacid, King Luscious may really be less than a true king, rightfully rating more as a respectable member of mid-level nobility.

All the same, we figure it's well worth trying.

King Luscious Facts

Its origins

Discovered near Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA in 1935.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The crisp and juicy yellowish-white flesh is fine-grained, with a pleasant, mild subacid flavour.

Appearance

A medium to large-sized apple with fairly tough red-coloured skin that's overlaid with darker red stripes.

When they’re available

Late season (usually in late October).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

While it's mainly used for fresh eating, some people swear by King Luscious as a truly great pie apple.

Quality for cider

Not particularly known for use in cider.

Keeping ability

Good (about 3 months when kept refrigerated).