Move Over Red Delicious

There's a new star on the fall cooking horizon - the Gala apple. It's dethroned America's favorite apple the Red Delicious. Yet is it as tasty and versatile as the other? More important can you cook and bake with it? Is it as versatile as other apples?.

This was a subject in today's New York Times news section, by Niraj Choksi, today where the Red Delicious was parsed out analyzed.It seems consumers are disenchanted with its' mild taste and mealy texture, People want something more vibrant in flavor and mouth feel. Galas have a sweeter flavor and a crispier, crunchier texture.Apple  lovers,  home chefs and bakers want one that will be appealing and vibrant.There is another prediction that the Galas will be deththoned by the newest apple on the tree - the Honeycrisp. number five on the most popular  list  -which has only been on the market for thirty years. The tart and sassy Granny Smiths are number three on the list followed by Fuji . The R ed Delicious has been around since the late 1890's, a hybrid evolved from European apple trees.Its' cultivator ,Jesse Hiatt, an Iowa farmer was initially reluctant to grow it ,allowing one tree to thrive on his property.He entered the fruit, which he called Hawkeye into an apple competition and won, He ultimately sold the rights to the Stark Brothers, the contest's hosts . They renamed it Delicious. The red came about to differentiate from the West Virginia Golden Delicious.

For decades the Red Delicious was the star of the fruit world. It was pleasing to look at, with its' distinctive and five pointed base.It became a symbol of America and schools.appearing on all sorts of Americana kitsch. However people were growing dissatisfied with its' mild flavor and limited usage. This is another reason  why the Galas are gaining in popularity is that they're better suited to apple based dishes such as applesauce and homemade juices.Both are OK for snacking although kids may prefer the Galas strong sweetness. Both are juicy and would go well in salads.The Gala is more colorful with its' skin a blend of  yellow and red swirled with pink and orange spots. This would make ti stand out in any tossed green dish.For those who are loyal to the Red Delicious, there are several recipes that highlight their taste.Try them as crispy fritters dusted with cinnamon and sugar or in a buttery, crunchy crisp. Granted, they don't have the impact of say Granny Smith apples when paired with caramel  but the slices are still good dipped in it. They can also be dipped in marscapone cheese, spiked with nutmeg.Red delicious can also go the savory route when sharing a plate with pork chops

Will the Red Delicious apple ever be number one again? Maybe- of cultivators can improve on its' taste or texture. It could even come in on its'own again once people tire of the upstart Gala variety.