New Zealand import takes the title as Britain’s tastiest apple

The Kanzi, which is a cross between a Braeburn and Gala apple – and was originally grown in New Zealand – was picked out by judges as the country’s best at the first every visit of the Festival of British Fruit to Countryside Live.

The Kanzi, which was introduced into the UK five years ago, defeated competition from eight different variations of apples to take the accolade.

A team of judges, who were led by Nigel Pulling, the chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society – the event’s organisers – picked the Kanzi ahead of other types of apple, including Braeburn, Cameo, Rubens, Russet, Jazz, Gala and Cox.

The chairman of the North of England Horticultural Society, Christopher Smith, a fellow judge said: “It was really interesting being a judge – the Kanzi had a great texture, it was really crisp and had a lovely flavour, not too sweet.”

Visitors were also given the option of tasting all the different varieties, as well as the opportunity of buying the fruit to take home.

In all 26 different kinds of apple and nine different kinds of pear were on display to visitors in the show’s food hall.

Apples were first introduced to this country by the Romans.

In all there are more than 1,200 native varieties of the fruit.

The chairman of the Marden Fruit Society which organises the annual festival, Sarah Calcutt, said: “The festival is now in its ninth year and we take it all around the country, but Yorkshire is the furthest north we have ever been.

“We are looking forward to introducing visitors to the best of British apples and pears, letting them taste and enjoy them, meet the growers and find out where they can buy them.”