Rosie Mac is one of those apples that feels local in the best way. It shows up in orchards rather than textbooks, carrying the familiar look and flavour of a McIntosh-style apple but with its own personality. Bright red, crisp when fresh, and full of that classic sweet-tart balance, it’s the kind of apple that reminds you what a fresh-picked apple is supposed to taste like.

Bite into it early and you get a clean snap and a lively burst of juice. Let it sit a little longer and it softens into that classic Mac texture, still flavourful but more tender and easy. It’s not trying to be flashy or complicated. Rosie Mac is a simple, honest apple that does exactly what you want it to do, especially when it’s eaten fresh and in season.

• Origin: Uncertain. Believed to be a McIntosh-type or McIntosh-derived selection grown in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Not widely documented as a distinct registered cultivar

• Appearance: Medium-sized, round fruit with a bright red skin and a classic McIntosh look.

• Flavour: Balanced sweet-tart with a fresh, familiar apple character

• Keeping: Short to moderate. Best enjoyed soon after harvest while it’s still crisp

• Uses: Great for fresh eating and applesauce. Works well for snacks and simple uses where a classic apple flavour is what you’re after.