Apples & Pears
NEW CROP GALAS
A Cozy Fall Classic: Why Gala Apples Belong in the Season From jazz standards to back-to-school traditions, fall is full of nostalgia—and apples are at the heart of it. This blog explores the history of apples as teacher gifts, highlights Washington’s near-record Gala harvest, and shares why this sweet, versatile variety is a dependable favorite for snacking, charcuterie boards, and even baking.
Am I the only one that associates the fall season with old-school jazz? I'm talking Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby... there's just something about that kind of music that makes the season feel right. And with our offices being in California, Texas, and Florida, we need all the things to make us feel "fall," because the weather alone is not enough to give us that cozy vibe! (Except you, New Jersey office, and we're all jealous).
My Fall playlist went on shuffle the other day, and I found a song I hadn't heard before: "An Apple for the Teacher" by Bing Crosby. It made me think... why exactly are apples a symbol of the back to school season? After an espresso and bunch of Googling, I found that back in the 1700s, families in Denmark and Sweden—who couldn’t exactly afford to pay teachers in cash—sent them home with baskets full of apples and other produce instead.
Using apples as an appreciation gift does make a lot of sense, especially thinking about how quick and filling they are for our busy teachers. They're a fantastic choice for lunchbox sides: easy to pack and easy to eat, whole, cut, or even blended into applesauce.
There's a new crop Gala that hits all the marks for this back to school season, whether it be for gifting or for school lunches. This renowned favorite has already begun shipping, with volumes expected to ramp up significantly over the next couple of weeks. Galas are the most planted and produced variety in the state of Washington, taking up 18% of the fresh apple crop. And this year, Washington anticipates as near-record apple haul -- 142 million boxes, which is up significantly from last year thanks to this year's favorable growing conditions.
A dependable fall favorite, these Gala apples aren't just impressing the eight year olds on the playground -- the exceptional sweet flavor offers notes of vanilla that charm even the most refined palettes. You'll catch me putting these on all my charcuterie boards all season long! And while they're usually not my first pick for baking, using a Gala lets me use less sugar with the same decadent result. Talk about a win win!
If I had to pick a word to describe a Gala apple, I'd choose "reliable." They have a flavor I can trust, a record harvest forecast that makes store availability dependable, and there's so much flexibility in the ways I can use them. That alone is worth me picking up a bag (or two) every week!
And if you haven't grabbed your kids' teachers a little token of appreciation yet, skip the Starbucks giftcard. Consider gifting a glorious, delicious Gala apple, for old time's sake!
Am I the only one that associates the fall season with old-school jazz? I'm talking Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby... there's just something about that kind of music that makes the season feel right. And with our offices being in California, Texas, and Florida, we need all the things to make us feel "fall," because the weather alone is not enough to give us that cozy vibe! (Except you, New Jersey office, and we're all jealous).
My Fall playlist went on shuffle the other day, and I found a song I hadn't heard before: "An Apple for the Teacher" by Bing Crosby. It made me think... why exactly are apples a symbol of the back to school season? After an espresso and bunch of Googling, I found that back in the 1700s, families in Denmark and Sweden—who couldn’t exactly afford to pay teachers in cash—sent them home with baskets full of apples and other produce instead.
Using apples as an appreciation gift does make a lot of sense, especially thinking about how quick and filling they are for our busy teachers. They're a fantastic choice for lunchbox sides: easy to pack and easy to eat, whole, cut, or even blended into applesauce.
There's a new crop Gala that hits all the marks for this back to school season, whether it be for gifting or for school lunches. This renowned favorite has already begun shipping, with volumes expected to ramp up significantly over the next couple of weeks. Galas are the most planted and produced variety in the state of Washington, taking up 18% of the fresh apple crop. And this year, Washington anticipates as near-record apple haul -- 142 million boxes, which is up significantly from last year thanks to this year's favorable growing conditions.
A dependable fall favorite, these Gala apples aren't just impressing the eight year olds on the playground -- the exceptional sweet flavor offers notes of vanilla that charm even the most refined palettes. You'll catch me putting these on all my charcuterie boards all season long! And while they're usually not my first pick for baking, using a Gala lets me use less sugar with the same decadent result. Talk about a win win!
If I had to pick a word to describe a Gala apple, I'd choose "reliable." They have a flavor I can trust, a record harvest forecast that makes store availability dependable, and there's so much flexibility in the ways I can use them. That alone is worth me picking up a bag (or two) every week!
And if you haven't grabbed your kids' teachers a little token of appreciation yet, skip the Starbucks giftcard. Consider gifting a glorious, delicious Gala apple, for old time's sake!
