The Gala apple tastes somewhat like a Golden Delicious because they're related!
(Scientific Binomial Name: Malus domestica)
Cultivar: Gala
Gala apples are excellent for both eating and baking. Native to New Zealand, this apple is now grown extensively in the United States since it's introduction in the 1970s.
Selection Information
Usage: A superb dessert apple that is excellent for fresh eating and baking. Most Galas apples are yellow-gold with pink to red stripes, while some Gala strains may be nearly solid red.
Selection & Storage: Good-quality Gala apples will be firm with smooth and clean skin. The coloring will usually be yellow with red stripes, but some new strains are nearly solid red. Test the firmness of the apple by holding it in the palm of your hand. (Do not push with your thumb). It should feel solid and heavy, not soft and light.
To store, keep apples as cold as possible in the refrigerator. Apples do not freeze until the temperature drops to 28.5 degrees F.
Avoid: Avoid product with soft or dark spots. Also if the apple skin wrinkles when you rub your thumb across it, the apple has probably been in cold storage too long or has not been kept cool.
Seasonal Information
Gala apples are one of the first Washington apple varieties to reach grocery stores each August. Because of their popularity and limited supply, they are not available for long. The "eating" season will be extended in coming years as more trees are planted.
Gala Apple Nutritional Information
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Apples are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. They're also a good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.
Gala Apple Tips & Trivia
- Origin: The Gala apple is native to New Zealand, but now grows extensively in Washington. A cross between the Kidd's Orange Red and the Golden delicious, the Gala was introduced to the United States in the 1970s.
- Researchers at Yale University claim that the scent of apples has a relaxing effect.
- Rub cut apples with lemon juice to keep slices and wedges creamy white for hours.
- Store apples in a plastic bag in the refrigerator away from strong-odored foods such as cabbage or onions to prevent flavor transfer.
- Apples are the second most important of all fruits sold in the supermarket, ranking next to bananas.
- Tens of thousands of varieties of apples are grown worldwide.
- The history of apple consumption dates from Stone Age cultivation in areas we now know as Austria and Switzerland.
- In ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage; catching it was acceptance.
- Folk hero Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) did indeed spread the cultivation of apples in the United States. He knew enough about apples, however, so that he did not distribute seeds, because apples do not grow true from seeds. Instead, he established nurseries in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
- Three medium-sized apples weigh approximately one pound.
- One pound of apples, cored and sliced, measures about 4 1/2 cups.
- Purchase about 2 pounds of whole apples for a 9-inch pie.
- One large apple, cored and processed through a food grinder or processor, makes about 1 cup of ground apple.
Gala Apple Recipes
- Gala Apple Fritters
- Gala Apple Pie
- Gala Apple, Asparagus and Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
- Gala Apple Smoothie
- Gala Apple Slaw
Suggested Reading About Apples from Amazon.com:
- The Best Apples to Buy and Grow
- The New Book of Apples: The Definitive Guide to Over 2,000 Varieties
- Apples
- How apples are grown, stored, and used
- The Apple Orchard Cookbook
