There are US apple varieties that I truly miss. Arkansas Black is a very deep dark red, crisp and tart. You can find the trees at nurseries if you look, but the apples are never sold here anymore. Stayman Winesap is another, fantastic baked, fried or in pie, but also great fresh. I suspect these fell out of favor because of appearance. The Arkansas Black skin is, well, VERY dark, almost to the color of a plum, and dull (nevermind that it is wonderful to eat). The Stayman is also not picture perfect, as there is usually russeting near the stem.
Other apples from when I was a kid are McIntosh (still around), true Johnathan is now relatively rare, but an old favorite. The "Johnagold" is a poor substitute. "Red Delicious" is still around, but I have no idea why, unless you like an attractive but mealy, tasteless to slightly bitter apple. Some of the new apples are OK, but not necessarily memorable.
