(Malus domestica)
In 2003, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada held a contest open to the public, giving them a chance to name this fabulous new apple. Of the over 11,000 votes, Ottawa’s Dauphne Biggs came up with the winning name in honour of the aurora borealis, which she thought was a suitably Canadian name for a Canadian crop.
Bred by Dr. Cheryl Hampson, Mr. Richard MacDonald, and Dr. David Lane at the the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland, BC, the Aurora Golden Gala is a mid-season apple with excellent shelf life.
These apples are available at high-end produce markets in some parts of Canada and the United States. Aurora Goldens are known for their outstanding eating quality, with crisp and juicy flesh and a sweet, fruity flavour. Similar in taste to Galas but with the ability to stay crisp longer, it’s a great apple for eating fresh as well as for dried apple chips or baking as it holds its shape well upon cooking. Careful, skilled handling is required for growing Aurora Golden Galas, which causes its higher price. However, upon tasting, you’ll realize they’re well worth the cost.
Photo courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
