Review: Gala Apple

"I'm basically cheese pizza."

The facts:  Known for its mild yet sweet flavor and perfectly petite size for children, the Gala is one of the top-selling apples around the world, followed by Red Delicious.  Originating from New Zealand, this apple is the byproduct of a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red in the 1920's.  Gala has also mutated into various others, including the Royal Gala and other apples with the word "Gala" in it.

My input:  Everything about this apple seems humble: its size, its flavor, its color, and its texture.  Its mild flavor does not really impose upon my palate, but maybe that is a good thing.  Gala has nothing to prove in that respect: it is the "apple next door" if you will.  I can definitely appreciate its texture, but its flavor can sometimes underwhelm me due to its unimposing nature.  Because it seems so standard issue and humble, it is the "cheese pizza" of the apples.  As a result, this is where the Gala falls flat.  Its mildness is perfect for inexperienced apple children, and I would imagine that all food, even the bold flavored, would ultimately taste like this when I am old and gray.  Also, if you are sensitive to astringency like me, the Gala can sometimes get a bit dry after a few bites.  Its cute physical appearance (semi-speckled with striations yet mostly of a uniform color, thin skin, small yet round size) seems almost like your standard, run of the mill, apple.  It looks presentable, but it hardly stands out as appetizing, but that comes with the territory of being a humble little Gala.  

Flavor:  sweet, mild, unimposing, sometimes a bit astringent for my tastes (3/5)

Texture:  crisp without being mealy.  (4/5)

Appearance: humble (3/5)

Bottom line:  As I said before, the Gala is the cheese pizza of the apple world.  Its mediocrity is nice for providing something for everyone yet satisfying no one.  It's certainly better than a Red Delicious, and since it kind of sticks in the "people pleaser" happy medium, it should be the true #1 selling apple.  There's nothing too entertainingly impressive about this little Gala, unfortunately.