Cameo apple

Malus domestica

A modern sweet variety, reminscent of Red Delicious.

Cameo is a very new apple variety. The shape is very reminscent of Red Delicious but Cameo does not have the intense red coloration of Red Delicious. The colour does seem to vary quite considerably, from a basically dark red flushed apple to a pale green apple with orange flushes.

Unlike most modern apples Cameo is not the result of a long breeding programme. It originated the old-fashioned way as a chance seedling. Interestingly, it was found in a Red Delicious orchard, so it seems likely, given the shape and colour, that Red Delicious was one of the parents.

The flavour is fairly bland, with a hint of pear - similar to Red Delicious but with less intensity. It is a bit crisper than Red Delicious too, but still fairly soft.

Last updated 10 Jun 2010 by Orange Pippin.

Summary

  • Parentage: Seedling of Red Delicious
  • Origin: United States
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 113400

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

  • Red Delicious (parent) - Cameo is thought to be a seedling of Red Delicious.

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

14 Feb 2010 SUnited Kingdom
The description of the Cameo apple appears to be mistaken here. The Cameo apple is very firm, crisp and not nearly as pedestrian as a red delicious. I do agree that it tastes much like a pear, with a bit of pleasant sour acid complementing the mild sweetness.
07 Jan 2010 Dr. Lewis T. Tait, Jr.GA, United States
Cameo is a good apple as well. It seems to be firm, not soft. I enjoy its fresh, light taste. It is a good apple. It is not like red delicious in my estimation.
15 Dec 2008 Stevie KGWENT UK, United Kingdom
I very much enjoy Cameo's, but being uinable to locate them, I've recently purchased some Rubens. There's more about them on this site, but in my view, if you like Cameo's you'll certainly like these. Currently in stock at some Somerfields.
09 Dec 2008 D R CordsSOUTH HAVEN-STEARNS-MN, United States
I also have noticed poor Quality of the Honey Crisp I have a large nuresery one mile from me and the H C I tasted in Nov of this year where of poor quality,Cameo is the apple and todays price was only $.98 LB
08 Dec 2008 Simon FletcherDEVON UK, United Kingdom
Yes, I'm currently enjoying these from Sainsbury's too and the eating qualities are just right for me; very crisp, juicy and kind of heavy ! If I was going to plant apple trees, which one day I will, this apple would be high on the list . . . might like something with a bit more character, say a slightly spicy edge to the taste. Any suggestions ?
10 Nov 2008 DarrenKENT, United Kingdom
Some Kent grown Cameo apples have appeared at Sainsburys. Large fruit, the first one out the bag had a pleasant taste. Firm'ish, sweet, a fraction blander than expected.
04 Jun 2008 NikkiNAPERVILLE, IL USA, United States
Fujis are my favorite, but Cameos are a good substitute at this point in the season where the Fujis at my local store are becoming a little, ah, suspect (starting to be brown in inside, and mushy). It is, of course, an amazing thing how the growers put these up in the Fall, and we have fresh apples in June.
30 May 2008 CarrieWR, GA, United States
I LOVE these apples!!! I first discovered them about a month ago at Wal-Mart and haven't stopped buying them since. I was devastated when I went grocery shopping this past week... there were no Cameos at Wal-mart. I really hope they were just out of them. I ended up buying some Braeburns but they did not taste anywhere near as good as the Cameos. If any of you live in the Middle GA area please let me know if any other grocery stores carry these.
07 May 2008 Patty GrovesSAN DIEGO, CA, United States
I just bought some Cameo apples last night. I had never heard of them before this and was intrigued by the size (very large) and the color. They are WONDERFUL!!! Juicy and very flavorful. I will be buying more of these beauties. And the price was 30 to 40 cents less per pound than some of the delicious and gala varieties!!!
21 Apr 2008 Jeff HoehneKENT WA, United States
tried my first cameo apple about six months ago and am now hooked. consistantly sweet crisp and juicy.apples dont get any better than this
08 Feb 2008 HannahSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, United States
We bought some Cameo apples the other day. It was the first time we had seen them advertised -- so we bought some to try them out. We did not know anything about them but thought they resembled the Red Delicious. The apples were juicy and crisp, but they did not have much taste. We prefer the Honeycrisp, which originated in Minnesota. They are available only in the fall in Minnesota, and they are very good. The Honeycrisp now in our stores come from Washington -- they cost a lot, and they are no good.
23 Oct 2007 Robin PriceELKTON,. MD USA, United States
For the most part I have never liked apples. However, I chaperoned my daughters recent first field trip to an orchard where we got to taste the cameo variety. I used to say, "never will i like apples without caramel." Now, I have learned to never say never and I cannot get enough of these. I love them, the only thing is i should start cutting them to eat them. The arthritis in my jaw is paying the price for these delicious treats.
20 Sep 2007 Mrs BWA, United States
I love apples of nearly all kinds, and Cameo is my absolute favorite fresh-eating apple. They are crisp, juicy, and flavorful, with a good balance of sweet and acid.
03 Aug 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
Bought some cameo apples last season and thought they were similar to Braeburn...crisp juicy and not too sweet..am looking forward to trying them again this year if I can find them." Ann, UK

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Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Cameo apple trees for sale:


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