Gala

Put some bite into late summer apple sales with Gala

More and more consumers are on the lookout for Gala apples when they arrive in stores in late August. With their distinctive red/orange color and yellow stripes, they are easy to spot; with their crisp texture and excellent taste, they are well worth the wait.

Gala is one of the first Virginia apple varieties available. However, unlike some mid-summer apples, they are crunchy, juicy and full of flavor.

They are an excellent choice for snacking and salads and hold up well in baking. Galas were developed in New Zealand in 1934 as a cross between Kidd's Orange Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. Today, with increased production by Virginia growers plus next day delivery, buyers can depend on the freshness and availability of Virginia Gala apples.


Virginia Gala apples - the customers' choice
Because of their taste and bite
*Crunchy, juicy, sweet-tart taste

Because of their looks
*Creamy yellow with red/orange stripes

Because of their versatility
*Delicious as a snack
*Wonderful in salads
*Just right for cooking and baking


Virginia Gala apples - the retailers' choice
Because of their availability
*One of the earliest local apples available in Fall
*Ready for sale from the end of August through November

Because of excellent shelf life
*10 to 14 days

Because of packing options
*In tray packs
*In various bag sizes, bins or bulk
*PLU stickering available

Because of immediate shipping
*Next day delivery
*Fresh-from-the-orchard apples


General Characteristics


  • Parentage: Golden Delicious and Kidd's Orange Red
  • Origin: New Zealand 
  • Ripening period: Late season
  • Cropping: Good
  • Fertility: Partially self-fertile
  • Triploid: Diploid
  • General disease resistance:  Poor
General characteristics courtesy of OrangePippin.com

The following Virginia orchards grow this variety


Key Virginia Varieties

Cameo

A modern sweet variety, reminiscent of Red Delicious.


Empire

One of the best McIntosh-style apples, with a good sweet vinous flavor, and easy to grow.


Fuji

Developed in Japan, but an all-American cross of Red Delicious and Ralls Janet. A very attractive modern apple, crisp, sweet-flavored, and keeps well.


Ginger Gold

An attractive yellow apple from Virginia


Golden Delicious

Undoubtedly one of the most important apple varieties of the 20th century, both as a commercial variety in its own right, and as breeding stock for many other varieties. Very good flavor when picked from Virginia trees.


Granny Smith

The most instantly-recognized of all apples, and perhaps Australia's most famous export.


Honeycrisp

Sometimes marketed as Honey Crisp, this is a crisp, and predominantly sweet, modern variety from the USA. It was developed by the University of Minnesota specifically for growers in cold climates, and is one of the most cold-hardy of apple varieties.


Idared

Idared is notable for its exceptional keeping qualities. It has a pleasant mild but undistinguished apple flavor.


Jonagold

A very popular commercial variety, with a good flavor. Inherits many of the good qualities of its parents Jonathan and Golden Delicious.


Jonathan

A classic American variety, and widely regarded as one of the best flavored with a good sweet/sharp balance. A precocious and productive tree in US apple-growing regions.


Nittany

Crisp, juicy yellow flesh tart apple, 3 to 3.25 inches in diameter. About 50 to 90% of the surface is covered with a dull red color. Shape is truncate to conical. Good eaten fresh but also good choice for a cooking apple as it holds its shape when cooked.


Pink Lady®

One of the best-known modern apples.


Red Delicious

One of the most famous American apple varieties, a sport of Delicious, known for its bright red color.


Rome Beauty

An extremely attractive and productive red cooking apple, widely-grown in North America.


Stayman

An old American dual-purpose apple variety, popular in Virginia. Descended from Winesap, and in most respects an even better apple.


Winesap

Often known as Virginia Winesap, a tart small apple, and like many US heirloom varieties, keeps well in store.


York Imperial

Good cooking/baking apple and excellent keeper.