Celebrating the Okanagan Apple Season: How to Pick the Perfect Apple!
We’re fully fledged members of the early Fall fan club around here – there’s just something about the leaves starting to turn golden, the first crispy morning, and a return to routine after a glorious summer. Oh, and it’s also the moment when the first Okanagan apples of the season start rolling through our doors, and we can’t get enough of them! Freshly picked, this is the time when they’re at their most delicious, flavourful and juicy.
Here are 5 Okanagan apple varieties that you’ll find on our shelves right this second…
1. Gala
Galas are one of the early arrivals of the season, typically showing up on our shelves from late August and signifying that Fall is on the horizon. They’re characterized by their pink-ish, orange stripes that vary in hue depending on the apple’s maturity, and their mild, sweet taste makes them a popular choice with little ones (and adults too, of course!). Perfect for popping in lunchboxes, munching on the go or for packing into a late summer’s picnic.
2. Honeycrisp
Honeycrisps are as pretty-as-can-be, distinctive thanks to their blushed scarlet colouring on a yellow canvas. Their super sweet flavour and firm texture makes them a great choice for baking and means that they keep their shape well when cooked, or you can enjoy them out of hand just as they are. A word of advice, though: due to their high natural sugar content, Honeycrips can bruise easily so we recommend handling with care!
3. Macintosh
It might sound silly, but Macintosh Apples – or ‘Macs’ to their friends – are known for their classic apple flavour. Try one and you’ll see what we mean! They are bright, tangy and a little bit tart. This makes them a top candidate for juicing, and they also make an excellent apple sauce!
4. Ambrosia
Ambrosias have a delicate yellow-pink skin, with a crisp, juicy flesh when cut. They’re delicious eaten as they are, but their sweet flavour means that they pair perfectly with a savoury dish – try them in a fresh autumnal salad, with soft cheeses or as a complement to pork.
5. Granny Smith
There’s no mistaking these bright green beauties! They’re known for their sharp, tart flavour which makes them a great cooking apple – use them to make a tasty apple crisp or pie, and toss them into your morning oatmeal or granola.
…so, if you’re debating whether to make that apple crisp this week, DO IT – we promise you (and your taste buds) won’t regret it.