I happen to like Red Delicious since they produce a satisfying crunch without being tart (like green apples) or mushy (like gala). I'm surprised this article is using a personal preference to criticize an entire variety and industry.
As someone who loves textures of foods, I empathize with the 'crunch' comment - though I will note that the only commendation you made about the flavor was expressing the Red Delicious's lack of flavor...
I liked Red Delicious back in the early 80s, but I noticed by the late 80s that they were becoming less flavorful, and tougher skinned. Now, the crunch and the visual is about all the red delicious has going for it.
I haven't seen Jonagold mentioned, but it's another one I like (though it doesn't store particularly well).
I think the minutiae of which apple cultivars we should buy is a not so delicious red herring from a more important truth: the worst Asian pear I've ever had is far and away better than the best apple I've ever had. My wife swears by apples though so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
they get very mealy and unpleasant in texture if they over-ripen even a little bit. gala are often recommended for baking for this reason. the texture degenerates very quickly, moreso than most varieties.
