If you are a Gala apple fan, then the next apple you need try is Sansa. Learn all about this variety, where it originated from, and when & where to get them.
Our family has spend a lot of time traveling in our RV the last few years. In 2021, I was lucky enough to visit many different apple orchards up and down the east coast. We went u-picking apples 4 times during that season. During the first pick of the year, I discovered an apple that one of my daughters absolutely loves - Sansa.
Let me share with you everything you need to know about this apple.
📜 History
As you get from the title of this post and from the first sentence, this apple is a great apple for Gala apple lovers. One reason why is because it's actually related to Gala. The apple was created in 1988 by crossing together the Gala apple which is from New Zealand with a Japanese variety called Akane (or Toyko Rose). People from both of these countries help develop and grow this apple so that we can enjoy it today.
Pretty cool, huh?
Sansa kind of looks like a Gala apple too. Here is a side by side picture to show you:
Without looking really close you could easily mix up the Gala and Sansa apples. They have a similar color palate.
🚜 When Are They Harvested?
Like it's parents, Sansa is an early season apple. They are generally harvested in early September or mid to late August in some places or some years. Like early season apples, they have a tendency for not staying crisp very long for keep that in mind if you are buying or picking a lot of them.
These apples are best enjoyed as fresh off the tree as possible right when they are harvested.
👅 What Does It Taste Like
Here is my review of this apple. Categories are on a scale of 1-10.
| Crispiness | 7 |
| Tartness | 3 |
| Flavor | 7 |
| Sweetness | 8 |
| Juiciness | 7 |
The question we have to ask is - is Sansa better than Gala? Yes and no. I think Sansa gets softer faster than a Gala apple would. But I do think the flavor is pretty close with if I had to choose I would put Sansa ahead. Honestly I need to pick one of each fresh off the tree at the same time and do an immediate taste test. There is no doubt to me that if you like one you are very much likely to like the other one.
🍎 What are Sansa Best For?
No doubt these apples shine best as a straight out of hand eating apple. The sweetness it has doesn't make it a well rounded apple that you would want for baking.
What I think they are great for is an applesauce apple. Especially when they start to get softer and they don't have a crisp bite that you would enjoy just eating. If you could mix them with a more tart apple like McIntosh or Paula Red that are available at the same time of the season, then I think you would have a great applesauce mix.
The apple is also a great apple to juice or one to use to add sweetness to an early cider blend.
Get my list of 26 Best Apple Varieties to Use for No Sugar Added Applesauce.
🛒 Where to Buy
Here is a list of orchards you can find this apple at:
- Kiyokawa Family Orchards (Parkdale, OR)
- Hooper's Orchard (Monroe, ME)
- Scott Farm Orchard (Dummerston, VT)
- Witt Orchards (Oak Harbor, OH)
- Johnston Fruit Farm (Swanton, OH)
- Solebury Orchards (New Hope, PA)
- Dittmar Farms & Orchard (Elizabeth, IL)
- Lapacek's Orchard (Poynette, WI)
- Door Creek Orchard (Cottage Grove, WI)\
- Flinchbaugh’s Orchard& Farm Market (Hellam, PA)
- Tougas Family Farm (Northborough, MA)
- Ela Family Farms (Hotchkiss, CO)
Have you tried this apple? What did you think? Leave a comment below telling us. Be a helper and share where you found it. You may make someone's day with your insider info on where to get them! If you are a true apple lover, you'll want to check out all of our apple reviews.
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