variety – Giropoma

Pink Lady, the apple on the table and in social initiatives

A striking red apple with a name that makes it seem sweet without even having tasted it, but that brings you closer to what this variety has to offer. The Pink Lady stands out for its bicolour tone between reddish pink and pale green. It is one of the apples that Giropoma has been selling for a long time and this year, it has started to be harvested and sold this November.

Of Australian origin, it was born in 1973 when the researcher John Cripps made a natural cross between two varieties of apple: Golden Delicious and Lady Williams. It was in 1994-1995 when the first trees were planted in Europe, specifically in France, and this new variety crossed the continent. In 1997, nursery owners, growers and distributors joined forces to create the Pink Lady® Europe association, and in 1998-1999, Spanish and Italian growers joined the Pink Lady® adventure.

The harvest of the Pink Lady is one of those that starts later, between the end of October and the beginning of November, because the fruit needs time to acquire maturity and the desired colour, characteristics that it achieves in the last weeks of ripening on the tree.

It is an ideal apple for eating fresh, making juices and is widely used in salads and to accompany meat and fish, due to its flavour which manages to combine sweetness with acidity in a very balanced way, as well as being comforting and refreshing. The variety, with a thin skin and a very aromatic burnt-coloured flesh, has a crunchy and juicy texture. It also contains natural fibre that helps to improve intestinal traffic, is antioxidant, provides vitamin C and contains 80% water.

In addition, it is a fruit with a transversal function as it has a high social commitment. Not only does it satisfy its consumers at the table, but in 2016 the Pink Lady Foundation was created to support business projects run by women. And it doesn’t stop there: in 2020, the variety launched its charter of commitments, which integrates the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental, social and economic issues).

Along these lines, several solidarity initiatives have also been organised, such as the “Sponsor a tree “ day, during which an outing was organised to one of Giropoma ”s fields with the aim of bringing the world of agriculture closer to the people, being absolutely transparent throughout the chain and generating a meeting point between consumers.

It should be emphasised that Pink Lady is a successful variety developed under the Club umbrella, which means that it has to comply with specific quality standards and is marketed by a limited number of producers, of which Giropoma is a member, following specific practices and committed to the environment. In this sense, it follows Giropoma ‘s mission, which is to offer healthy, high quality apples, always following the values that define the company: the defence of the territory and the rural environment, respect for the environment, proximity, commitment and a commitment to people.

La Granny Smith, the bakery apple

The Granny Smith variety first emerged in Australia in 1868 after Grandmother Smith (Maria Anna Smith Sherwood) created the first artificial grafting by crossing two species. The story said that the apple originated by a stream near her farm from the remains of several wild apples that Maria Ann had composted. Although its creator died, local farmers continued the cultivation and today it is one of the most appreciated by consumers.

The Granny Smith is a deep green apple, which may have very marked whitish lenticels. It is very round, with a whitish flesh, a very crunchy texture, not very sweet, juicy and with a very characteristic acid taste . It is an ideal variety to eat fresh and to prepare salads and pastries, because it takes longer to oxidise than other apples. It is a very versatile variety that can be eaten raw or cooked and is very famous for being one of the most used for apple pie and confectionery products such as apple compote, as it is used to compensate with its acidity the sweetness of sugar. The sour apple helps to prevent the final product from being too sweet and, in addition, this variety manages to keep its shape when baked. In this sense, although there are many types of apples, some have a better texture to be used in salads and others have an optimal consistency to be boiled or baked, as they need to have a firm flesh and a sweet and sour taste. Granny Smith is a favourite for these cases because it does not lose its aroma or its succulence.

Apples are high in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and calcium. In short, they provide a high quantity of healthy qualities. The optimum harvest time for this variety is in October and it can be found until the end of June. It is one of the varieties that Giropoma produces and markets. Along with the Gala, Golden and Red Delicious, the Granny Smith receives the internationally recognised Protected Geographical Indication Manzana de Girona seal, which differentiates the product and is a guarantee of quality and a link with the territory.

The company works to defend the territory and the rural environment, respect for the environment, proximity, commitment and commitment to people and its mission is to offer healthy, high quality apples. In addition to Granny Smith, 7 other varieties of apples are produced and marketed: Golden, Fuji, Pink Lady® (Cripps Pink variety), Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Candine® (Regalyou variety) and Joya® (Cripps Red variety).

La Gala, a much-loved apple

The Gala variety was first discovered in New Zealand in 1939. Its ability to adapt to climatic conditions and its resistance to disease make it a very attractive option for growers and consumers around the world. It is a highly appreciated summer apple that has captivated the palate of everyone who has tasted it, especially the one from Girona, with ideal characteristics thanks to its proximity to the sea.

The Gala is a red striated apple on a creamy yellow background. It has an attractive skin, rounded shape and white flesh. It is crunchy, sweet and has an acid point that gives it a very good taste balance. Its optimum harvest time is August and it can be found until March.

Its tree is tall, vigorous, vigorous, with a quick entry into production and very resistant to frost. It is Giropoma’s earliest apple and is characterized by a very good response to cold storage, which allows to provide the necessary cold and suitable atmospheric conditions to the apples, to delay their ripening process and to guarantee their quality throughout the year.

This is one of the varieties that Giropoma produces and markets under the umbrella of the Protected Geographical Indication Poma de Girona, a seal of international recognition, product differentiation, evidence of quality and link with the territory.

It is an ideal apple for fresh consumption and for various culinary applications, such as jams, pies, salads and sauces.

Apples are an essential part of a healthy and balanced diet. They help prevent cardiovascular problems and inflammatory diseases, as well as helping to digest the fats we consume, provide a large amount of fiber that helps the digestive system to function properly, are rich in vitamins and minerals and have antioxidant properties.

Fuji, a crunchy and juicy autumn apple

The Fuji apple is a variety originating from Japan, and since its discovery, it has been gaining popularity to become one of the most produced and consumed apples everywhere thanks to its organoleptic qualities, i.e. properties that can be perceived by the sense organs.

Fuji is a light red apple on a green-yellow background that stands out for its crunchy and juicy texture. These intrinsic characteristics make it very attractive and appetizing. Its dense and aromatic cream-colored flesh and very sweet flavor, taste characteristics that satisfy most people who eat it. It is harvested during the month of October and can be found until the end of June.

Preferably, it is best consumed fresh, but it is also widely used for baking. It is the perfect choice for inclusion in countless culinary creations thanks to its natural sweetness. Its firmness and ability to maintain its shape during cooking make it ideal for baking, as it does not fall apart easily. In addition, its juiciness adds moisture and flavor to baked goods, such as cakes and muffins.

It provides a large amount of fiber that helps the digestive system to function properly. It is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which strengthen the immune system, and is low in calories and saturated fats. A natural and healthy option to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.

A tasty, succulent and very pleasant apple, a pleasure for the palate of many consumers.

Giropoma’s mission is to offer healthy and high-quality apples, always following the values that define our company: the defense of the territory and the rural environment, respect for the environment, proximity, commitment and commitment to people. In addition to Fuji, we produce and market 7 other varieties of apples, which you can discover on our website: Golden, Granny Smith, Pink Lady® (Cripps Pink variety), Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Candine® (Regalyou variety) and Joya® (Cripps Red variety).

Golden, one of the most appreciated apples by consumers

According to the Report on Food Consumption in Spain 2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), apples are one of the most consumed fresh fruits in Spain, ranking among the five major apple-producing countries in the EU-27. As for Catalan production, most of the total production of table apples is produced in Catalonia, with Lleida and Girona being the main production regions, followed by Tarragona and Barcelona (MAPA, 2023).

As for the Golden, it is one of the most cultivated varieties worldwide, due to its quality characteristics and its ability to adapt to any kind of soil, as well as its good cold storage.

The Golden is a smooth-skinned, greenish-yellow apple with a slight golden hue, round in shape and medium to large in size. Its texture is crunchy, juicy and smooth, and its flesh is white and consistent. It is characterized by a high sugar content and low acid content, and is very aromatic. Its optimum harvest time is in early September, and it can be found throughout the year, since it stands out for its good preservation.

Golden is one of the varieties that Giropoma produces and markets under the umbrella of the Protected Geographical Indication Poma de Girona, a seal of international recognition, product differentiation, evidence of quality and link to the territory.

It is an ideal apple to eat fresh, to make juices and cakes or to add to salads, and it is also a very good choice for baking.