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Gala apples are a small to medium-sized varietal, averaging 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to conical shape. The apple’s skin is thin, bruising easily, and smooth with a light sheen, showcasing a yellow-orange base covered in red and pink blush. There is also prominent red-pink striping and mottling on the skin’s surface, giving the fruits a vibrant appearance. It is important to note that Gala apples will have a lighter, yellow-orange coloring early in the season, and as the season progresses, the fruits will develop darker red hues. Underneath the skin, the ivory to pale yellow flesh is fine-grained, firm, and aqueous with a crisp but tender, snap-like quality. The flesh also encases a central fibrous core filled with dark brown and flat seeds. Gala apples emit a perfumed, floral aroma and have a mildly sweet flavor with a hint of acidity. The flesh often bears fruity and floral undertones, combined with nuances of vanilla, apple blossoms, and pears.
Seasons/Availability
Gala apples are available year-round.
Current Facts
Gala apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a well-known commercial cultivar belonging to the Rutaceae family. The variety was developed in New Zealand in the mid 20th century and was selected for its mild, sweet flavor, crisp flesh, and versatile nature. Gala apples were created from a lineage of famous apple cultivars. The variety was produced from a cross between golden delicious apples and kidd’s orange red apples, an offspring of cox’s orange pippin and red delicious varieties. Gala apples have also been used in breeding programs to develop other commercially grown apples, including Jazz, Envy, Sweetie™, Pacific Rose, and Delfloga. In the modern-day, Gala apples are one of the most commercially cultivated apples worldwide and are grown in both hemispheres, providing year-round production. The apples are considered a multi-purpose variety, often used in fresh, cooked, and preserved preparations and mixology.
Nutritional Value
Gala apples are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and calcium to protect bones and teeth. The apples also provide vitamin C to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and other nutrients, including iron, vitamin E, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, and vitamin K.
Applications
Gala apples have a mild, fruity, and floral flavor and a crisp, fine-grained texture suited as an all-purpose variety for fresh and cooked preparations. The apples can be washed and consumed straight, out of hand, or they can be sliced and dipped into chocolate, caramel, or served with cheeses. Gala apples are also popularly chopped into salads, shredded into slaws, cut for fruit bowls, or diced into salsa and chutney. The apple’s snap-like texture provides a source of crunch when layering onto sandwiches, paninis, and burgers, or the apples can be minced and stuffed into sausage. In addition to savory preparations, Gala apples can be combined with stronger flavored apples such as granny smith, Arkansas black, and mutsu, and baked into tarts, pies, galettes, crisps, crumbles, and strudel. The apples can also be cooked into butter, sauces, jams, and jellies, or pressed into ciders, juices, and smoothies. Gala apples pair well with cheeses such as cheddar, brie, and swiss, nuts such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts, meats such as poultry, turkey, and pork, pears, caramelized onions, and squash. Whole, unwashed Gala apples will keep up to one week at room temperature and 1 to 3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Gala apples have produced many sports, which is a term for naturally occurring mutations found on the trees. These sports are often selected for propagation and eventually become separate commercial cultivars. Royal Gala apples are the Gala apple’s most well-known sport and were discovered in New Zealand in the mid 20th century. One of the unique facets of Royal Gala apples was how they acquired their name. Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand and sampled the variety during her stay. The Queen liked the apples and declared them her favorite of the trip, so the growers decided to name the sport Royal Gala in honor of Her Royal Majesty.
Geography/History
Gala apples were developed in 1934 by James Hutton Kidd, also known as J.H. Kidd, an apple breeder based in New Zealand. Kidd began breeding apples in the early 20th century and was inspired by the attractive coloring of new American apple varieties and the flavors of British varieties. Combining American with British apples, Kidd’s first major success was developing the kidd’s orange red apples, which later became a parent variety for Gala apples. Many new seedlings were created through Kidd’s breeding program, and Kidd continued to research, cultivate, and release apples until his death in 1945. Around the same time as World War II, Kidd donated the majority of his apple seedlings to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research fruit research section at the Appleby Research Orchard. The seedlings were planted and fruiting by 1950, and one seedling, in particular, was chosen for possible commercial production, labeled D8. The D8 seedling was created from a cross of kidd’s orange red apples and golden delicious apples and was sent to Havelock North for further evaluation and trials. The variety was eventually selected out of 900 apples as a new commercial cultivar and was named Gala by Don McKenzie, released to the public in the 1960s. Gala apples were commercially planted in Europe and the United States in the 1980s, and over time, the apples became one of the most commercially grown varieties worldwide. Today Gala apples can be grown in both warmer apple regions and temperate climates and are heavily produced in New Zealand, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, China, England, and Poland. The apples are widely found in commercial markets and are sold through grocers, supermarkets, farmer’s markets, fruit stands, and online retailers. They are also commonly grown in home gardens.
Supermarket Galmart
пр-т. Сейфуллина 617, Алматы 050013, Казахстан
Gala apples of South East Kazakhstan. Gala apples of South East Kazakhstan grow to a small to medium size with a conical shape, smooth skin, and a vibrant yellow-orange base covered with red-pink blush and striping. Their ivory to pale yellow, crisp flesh offers a mildly sweet flavor with fruity floral undertones. Early season apples are lighter in color, deepening to red hues as the season progresses.
Garmart supermarket
пр-т. Сейфуллина 617, Алматы 050013, Казакстан
Gala apples grown in South East Kazakhstan are in season.. Gala apples are incredibly versatile, offering a mild, fruity, and floral flavor with a crisp texture that works well in both fresh and cooked dishes. They're great for snacking, pairing with cheeses, or enhancing salads. You can also bake them into pies, crisps, or tarts. Their ability to pair with flavors like cheddar, nuts, or caramelized onions makes them a favorite ingredient. Stored unwashed, they last up to a week at room temperature and up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Baganashyl Vegetables and Fruits convenient store
Syrgabekova str 22, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Gala apples of Kazakhstan.. Gala apples: Gala apples are a global favorite in the Malus domestica family, known for their sweet flavor and crisp texture. Developed in New Zealand from a cross of Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red apples, they have inspired new cultivars like Jazz, Envy, and Pacific Rose. Used in fresh and cooked dishes, they're rich in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, supporting digestion, immunity, and bone health year-round.
Supermarket "Magnum"
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казакстан
Gala apples of South East Kazakhstan. Gala apples were first developed in 1934 by New Zealand apple breeder J.H. Kidd. He combined the flavors of British varieties with the coloring of American varieties, eventually creating the Gala apple through a cross of Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious apples. By the 1960s, they were released commercially and became one of the most popular apple varieties globally, cultivated across temperate and warm apple-growing regions such as New Zealand, the U.S., and China.
Supermarket "Magnum"
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казакстан
Gala apples of South East Kazakhstan. Royal Gala apples, a sport of Gala apples, were discovered in New Zealand in the mid-20th century. This variety gained its name after Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand, tasted the fruit, and declared it her favorite apple during her trip. To honor the Queen's preference, the growers named this mutation Royal Gala, highlighting its unique royal connection.
Gala apples grown in France are in season … Gala apples have a thin skin that bruises easily and is adorned with vibrant red and pink blush over a yellow-orange base. Early in the season, they tend to display lighter yellow-orange tones, gradually darkening into deeper red hues as weeks go by. Their flesh is fine-grained and firm, offering a crisp yet tender texture with delicately sweet flavors that carry undertones of vanilla, apple blossoms, and pears.
Supermarket Galmart
Розыбакиев көшесі 247А, Алматы 050060, Казакстан
Gala apples of South Kazakhstan. Gala apples: These versatile apples from South Kazakhstan are known for their mild floral flavor and crisp texture, making them ideal for both fresh and cooked dishes. They pair well with cheddar, brie, almonds, pork, caramelized onions, and more. They last up to one week at room temperature and up to three weeks in the refrigerator when properly stored.
Supermarket Magnum
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казахстан
Gala apples of South Kazakhstan. Gala apples are among the most widespread apple varieties globally, developed in New Zealand during the mid-20th century. They were created from a cross between golden delicious and kidd’s orange red apples, which themselves are offspring of notable cultivars. Known for their mild sweet flavor and crisp texture, Gala apples are used in diverse culinary applications, including fresh eating, cooking, preserving, and even mixology.
Supermarket Magnum
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казахстан
Gala apples of Central Asia. Gala apples were first developed in 1934 by J.H. Kidd, a New Zealand-based breeder. They originate from a cross between Kidd’s Orange Red and Golden Delicious apples. Named Gala by Don McKenzie, they became commercially available in the 1960s and were widely planted in Europe and the United States by the 1980s. Today, Gala apples are cultivated globally, including in New Zealand, Canada, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Poland.
Supermarket Magnum
Almagul microdistrict, 18 A, Almaly, Kazakhstan
Royal Gala apples are a direct result of a natural mutation, or "sport," of the Gala apple tree. This variation was discovered in New Zealand and gained recognition when Queen Elizabeth II visited and declared them her favorite during her trip to the region. To honor this endorsement from the Queen, growers named the new variety Royal Gala, cementing its legacy as part of Gala apple history.
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