Apples
This has been a tough year for apples and we are sad to announce that we will not have any pick your own apples this year. The freeze in mid May killed off the blossoms and any apples that had set. We will have apples in the barn for you to purchase and have managed to secure apples so that we will still be able to press our delicious cider.
For more information regarding this year’s extreme weather impacts on tree fruit, click here. Climate change is real, it is here and this is what it looks like.
During a “typical year” we have 15 different apple varieties here at the farm. The following is a list of them, their best qualities and their harvest period from earliest to latest.
For more information on apple varieties, how to grow apples or other fun facts check out New England Apple Growers or New Hampshire Fruit Grower's Association.
Paulared
The earliest variety we have, the season is from late August to mid September. Sweet, excellent for fresh eating, pies and sauce. Does not store long.
Ginger Gold
Season is early-mid September. Large, green crisp, with a little spice, excellent for fresh eating. For those who love Honeycrisp, this is an early alternative. Their only downside is that they don't store well.
McIntosh
Season is from early to mid September. A favorite for fresh eating, they're also excellent for sauce. Many people use them in pies, but they cook to a sauceconsistency while the crust is baking. Does not store long.
Honeycrisp
Excellent for fresh eating; one of our biggest sellers. Stores very well. Season is mid September until mid October (if we are not picked out!). For an interesting read on the complicated origin of Honeycrisp, click here.
Gala
Season is from mid September to October. Gaining in popularity. It's sweet, with a flavor reminiscent of pears. Excellent for fresh eating. Stores reasonably well.
Cortland
Season is from mid September to mid October. A little tart, but firm and crisp. Excellent for fresh eating, pies, sauce, salads (they don't turn brown), and they keep well. If there had to be just one apple variety, this would be our choice.
Zestar!
Developed by the University of Minnesota (same folks who developed Honeycrisp). If you are one of our loyal Honeycrisp customers, you will love this early variety. It is sweet and crunchy! Season is early September to mid September.
Macoun
Season is the same as Cortland. Firm, crisp, and sweet. Excellent for eating, and although we haven't baked them (we can't pry ourselves away from Cortland), customers have told us that they make good pies.
Empire
Season is from mid to late September. Smaller in size than McIntosh (just the right size for a school bag), excellent for fresh eating, and they keep well, too.
Hampshire
Season is mid-late September. This variety was discovered as a chance spur at Gould Hill Orchards in Hopkinton, NH. Firm, sweet, and crisp. Stores very well.
Red Delicious
Season is late September to mid October. Sweet. Okay for fresh eating.
Northern Spy
Season is from late September to mid October. Firm and crisp. Good for fresh eating, although it is usually considered a pie apple. Stores well, too.
Red Fuji
Season is after Mutsu; this one ripens late. Firm, sweet apple. Stores very well. Good for fresh eating.
Crimson Crisp
As the name suggests this is a brilliant, red apple with a firm and crisp texture. It has a mild sweet flavor and would lend a nice color to applesauce. Season is early October until mid October.
SnowSweet
This is one of our new farm favorites. It is similar to a Honeycrisp with its lilting honey note but has just a bit more depth of flavor. Crunchy and juicy, we have used this apple in everything from pies to sauce to fresh eating by the bushel! Season is late September to mid October.