Aurora Golden Gala is one of the quiet success stories of modern Canadian apple breeding. Developed in the Okanagan Valley at the Summerland research station, it was created by crossing Gala with Splendour in search of a sweeter, crisper dessert apple that could thrive in a cooler climate. The result is a luminous yellow apple with remarkable crunch and a clean, refreshing sweetness that makes it easy to keep reaching for another slice.

Bite into a good Aurora and the first thing you notice is the texture. It snaps cleanly and releases a rush of juice, followed by a gentle honeyed sweetness and a light floral aroma. The flavour is mild but very pleasant, the sort of apple that feels fresh rather than heavy. It is excellent straight off the tree and remains crisp long after harvest, which has helped it earn a loyal following in Canadian orchards. If Gala represents sweetness and Splendour brings firmness and structure, Aurora Golden Gala carries the best traits of both and packages them into a bright golden fruit that feels perfectly at home in a northern orchard.

• Origin: Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Introduced in the early 2000s from a cross between Gala and Splendour developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

• Appearance: Medium apples with smooth golden-yellow skin, sometimes carrying a pink blush where the sun strikes. The fruit is round and clean-looking, with creamy white flesh inside.

• Flavour: Sweet, fresh, and lightly aromatic with hints of honey and soft tropical fruit. The acidity is low, which gives the apple a smooth and approachable flavour.

• Keeping: Very good keeper for a sweet dessert apple. When stored cool it can remain crisp and flavourful for several months after harvest.

• Uses: Primarily a dessert apple and one of the better modern varieties for fresh eating. Its crisp texture also works nicely in salads and light baking, where it holds its shape and sweetness.