Seasons/Availability
Gala Apple harvest begins in mid-July or early August and continues through early September. Gala Apples are typically available year round.
Current Facts
New strains of Gala apples are continually being produced and there are at least thirty or more varieties. Generally it takes five to six years to propagate a new strain. If a certain red color is desired and produced, flavor is often sacrificed. Gala apples have increasingly become popular with chefs and consumers during the past fifteen years.
Description/Taste
Yellow-gold with attractive colorful highlights, Gala apple's pinkish-to-reddish-orange stripes are the usual identifying characteristics of this aromatic fruit that offers a juicy crunch and a sweet tangy flavor. Some Gala strains may be nearly solid red. This apple is considered to be one of the sweetest of all.
Nutritional Value
An apple has no cholesterol and contains pectin, an excellent dietary fiber. This fiber may actually work to reduce the body's cholesterol level and help to prevent heart attacks. Pectin also slows glucose metabolism in diabetics. Apples contain potassium, which may reduce the chances of a stroke, and have a trace of boron, which is believed to build bones and to increase mental vitality. Apples offer a small amount of vitamin A and vitamin C and have only a trace of sodium. An average-size apple contains about 80 calories. Unpeeled apples provide the most plentiful nutrients. Apples have long been referred to as Nature's toothbrush! While they don't actually clean the teeth, they promote dental hygiene. Biting and chewing an apple stimulates the gums. The apple's sweetness promotes the flow of saliva which reduces tooth decay by decreasing the levels of bacteria in the mouth. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
A superb dessert apple and excellent for fresh eating and baking, make scrumptious pies, tarts, cobblers, sauces, cakes, quick breads, kuchen, cookies and muffins. Add its refreshing taste and crunch to fresh fruit, vegetable and mixed green salads. Apple flavor and texture add dining pleasure in a variety of savory dishes. This attractive apple dresses up a fruit bowl centerpiece. Chilled slices make a perfect edible garnish. Sliced or cut apples stay white longer if put in a bowl of water containing two tablespoons of lemon juice. To store, keep apples as cold as possible in the refrigerator. This apple stores well.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The New Zealand cuisine favors this delightful apple in many of their cultural dishes. Researchers at Yale University claim that the scent of apples has a relaxing effect. Tests conducted showed a significant calming response when sniffing an apple spice fragrance. When stressed, simply indulge in a mug of mulled apple cider and a piece of warm, freshly baked apple pie to alleviate anxiety. American orchardists are now growing dwarf apple trees like those that have become popular in Europe for ease in picking the fruit. The standard apple tree grows more than thirty feet high and picking the apples has always been a problem, requiring ladders or long poles, and shaking the branches. All of these picking techniques easily caused damaged fruit. Even though the shorter trees are less than ten feet high, they produce standard-sized apples. Not only does it make picking easy, but many more trees can be planted on one acre, and the trees mature in three years instead of six.
Geography/History
The lovely apple has been in the spotlight forever it seems. Surrounded by poetic mythology, this beautiful sweet-tart fruit has been a symbol of sheer temptation, outstanding beauty, devoted love, savvy wisdom, magnetic sexuality and sincere sensuality. The Romans and the Greeks cherished it for its expression of pure love. They also prized the apple for its representation of endless beauty. Continually gaining popularity in American markets, the Gala apple is native to New Zealand. A cross between Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious, Gala apples were introduced into the United States in the early 1970s.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Featured Recipes
Recipes that include Gala Apples. One
is easiest, three is harder.
