A relatively new introduction to the UK which was first planted in commercial volumes during the 1980s. Available from late September until early March. The variety represents about 20% of the total volume of the commercial production of eating apples grown in UK.

History: the variety was raised in 1934 by J.H.Kidd of Wairarapa in New Zealand from a cross between Kidd’s Orange Red and Golden Delicious. It was selected and tested as Kidd’s D8 in the 1960s. In 1965 it was named Gala. Since then, various clones have been selected including Tenroy, later to be renamed Royal Gala. The selections most popular in the UK market have proved to be striped orange/red rather than block red or dark red.

Appearance: the shape is oblong conical. Background skin colour is light yellow which is overlaid with bright orange/red stripes which can merge to give areas of unbroken red top-colour. The flesh is creamy white.

Eating Characteristics: the flavour is sweet. The skin is relatively thin and the flesh is fine-textured and firm (but not hard) with good levels of juice.

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