ENJOY MCINTOSH, JONAGOLD AND GALA APPLES NOW

Certain varieties of apples such as the Canadian McIntosh, California Gala and Jonagold are only available at this time of year and should be enjoyed now. California’s mild winters don’t provide as many chill hours as regions with colder climates producing apples with less dense cell walls, think softer texture, and higher moisture content that don’t lend well to storage.

McIntosh apples originated in Canada and are the original cider apple. Although this is a cooler growing climate, McIntosh are harvested in late summer, early fall and they haven’t had the time to fully develop tougher cell walls. They are fabulous for juicing and cooking, but don’t hold onto them for so long.

The Jonagold was developed in the 1940s and is a cross between a Jonathan and a Golden Delicious. The coloring is yellow of Golden Delicious, with large flushes of red. This is a crisp apple to bite into, with gleaming white flesh. The flavor is sweet but with a lot of balancing acidity. They hold up well during baking and are perfect for an apple pie. Jonagolds are not around for long.

Gala is a cross of Kidd’s Orange Red and Golden Delicious. It has a softer texture and is super juicy. The acidity will disappear if stored too long. Enjoy them now fresh, in pies or tarts!