New king reigns over nation’s apple orchards

Gala bumps Red Delicious off top of the chart

Yuma, what’s your favorite apple? Is it the delicious Honeycrisp, or the ubiquitous Red Delicious? Maybe the tart Granny Smith is more your speed.

Nationwide, there’s a new king of the apple pile: the Gala.

According to the U.S. Apple Association, Gala knocked Red Delicious off the top for the first time in five decades. The group says the production forecast has Gala in the lead, followed by Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji and Honeycrisp.

Frankly, it’s surprising Red Delicious held on for 50 years.

There have been such tasty changes in the apple industry in the last few decades.

The Red Delicious in comparison tends to be, well, less exciting. The apple is waxy, and the flavor tends to be very gentle. However, the U.S. Apple Association says the Red Delicious makes up roughly half of the U.S. apple exports — so clearly, people out there still love it.

There are around 200 unique apple varieties grown in the United States, with more than 100 available in retail stores, the Apple Association reports. A total of 15 popular varieties, however, account for almost 90 percent of production.

Imagine the options! We are used to seeing the basics: Golden Delicious, Granny Smiths, etc.

The U.S. Apple Association says that the top 10 varieties produced in the U.S. are Red Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Rome, Cripps Pink/Pink Lady and Empire.

However, that list differs a bit from the top 10 apple varieties that are sold in the U.S., which are Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Cripp’s Pink/Pink Lady, Braeburn and Jazz.

Given the variety of apples now available, it’s surprising it has taken so long for the Red Delicious to lose its throne.

What do you think, Yuma? Which apple variety rules in your home? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us an email at letters@yumasun.com.