I’ve always had a soft spot for fruity candy, the kind of sweet-tart goodness that makes your jaw tingle in the best way. HI-CHEW, Skittles, Starburst… If it came in a rainbow pack, I was probably eating it. The summers of my childhood were basically defined by biking with friends to my neighborhood 7-Eleven and experimenting with every possible Slurpee flavor combo. And when it came to fruit, I was raised on Granny Smith apples, the irresistibly sour OG that trained my palate to chase that tangy kick wherever I could find it.
Over the years, new apple varieties have popped up like seasonal limited-edition drops, but nothing quite prepared the internet, or my candy-loving heart, for the Lucy Glo. With its reddish pink interior and flavor that leans fully into “did nature really make this?” energy, this apple is turning heads for good reason.
What is the Lucy Glo apple?
If you’ve ever wondered how an apple ends up looking like it’s been dipped in pink highlighter, the Lucy Glo has a surprisingly wholesome origin story. This variety is part of Chelan Fresh’s trademarked Lucy™ line, aka the red-fleshed apples that have been shaking up produce aisles since 2018. Grown in Washington, they’re harvested in the fall (usually October) and were bred to be exactly what they are: eye-catching, sweet, tart, and crisp enough to earn a spot in your lunchbox and your TikTok feed.
The Lucy Glo gets its name from its golden-yellow skin, which is thin enough that the vibrant rosy interior literally glows through. This hue isn’t a gimmick. It comes from years of natural cross-pollination work by plant pathologist Bill Howell in Prosser, Washington. He spent over a decade crossing red-fleshed apples with well-loved cultivars like Honeycrisp to create something that wasn’t just pretty, but actually tasted good (a surprisingly rare combo in the red-fleshed world).
Chelan Fresh officially debuted the Lucy Glo at a major produce expo in 2018, and it immediately became one of the buzziest new fruits on the floor. Today, it’s still grown in limited quantities by family-run Washington orchards, with small batches also popping up in Europe, making it a seasonal specialty that feels like a little treasure hunt every fall.
How does the Lucy Glo apple taste?
Biting into a Lucy Glo feels a little like biting into an apple that secretly wants to be candy. The flesh is this wild, marbled mix of pink, red, and white, and it snaps cleanly when you take a bite. It’s crisp, juicy, and bright without veering into mushy territory. Flavor-wise, it starts off with a punchy tartness (think: Granny Smith level of attitude), then mellows into a sweet, tangy finish that honestly does feel a little Jolly Rancher-adjacent.
TikTok reviewers are on the same page. Creator @yourtampabestie described hers as juicy with “slight sweetness” and a tart aftertaste, and she still followed it up with an enthusiastic, “I taste it. It’s really good.”
Meanwhile, @jeffandmarkexploring couldn’t stop admiring the apple’s dramatic red interior, with Mark hyping it up with a confident, “Go for the gold!” as they compared it to its berry-forward sister apple, the Lucy Rose.
If your ideal apple hits somewhere between sour candy and summertime strawberry lemonade, the Lucy Glo may be the one for you.
Where can I buy the Lucy Glo apple?
Like most specialty apples, the Lucy Glo doesn’t stick around for long. Its season hits in the fall, and once stores sell through their limited shipments, you’re waiting until next year’s harvest. So if you’re suddenly craving that tart, sweet, candy-core crunch, now’s the time.
If you’re an online shopper (or just love avoiding grocery store crowds), you can snag Lucy Glo apples through Goldbelly, which ships nationwide. Prefer picking out your fruit in person? You can find them at Safeway, The Fresh Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market while supplies last. And if you want to keep tabs on the brand or stay updated on future seasons, they’re pretty advice over on their Instagram @lucybrandapples.