Every year our village has an Apple Day. The last time we went was in 2013 just before our Middlest was born! I'm not sure why we haven't gone since, there's always something that gets in the way, our weekends can be a bit manic at times.
It was nice as my brother came over with his two children, they all get on so well it was a lovely day together.
They advertised lots of games for the children plus apple pressing should anyone want to. We also knew that a lot of our friends would be there, so we knew we'd enjoy it!
It's the first year that my cider trees, planted in 2014, in my hedge have actually produced some apples.
We picked them all, and I made the stupid decision to carry them to the allotments (about a mile away) in some bags for life. I think my fingers were going to fall off by the time I go there!
We left the apples with a group of choppers, who chopped the apples down to a size the scratter could manage. For some reason they took the cores out, not something I've ever heard of when making cider, but as it was only small amount of apples I wasn't too worried.
the children loved getting involved, scratting and pressing the apples.
In the end we got 4.5 litres of juice. The cider apples we used were very mild, the one which produced the most, is called "The Upright French" but it's pretty much a bulking apple so fairly bland, but we mixed a fair few other apples, and even picked up some crab apples on the way to the allotments.
Our juice was way darker than everyone else's! The guy helping us was very keen to try some! He agreed it was very mild, sweet tasting.
I was going to pasteurise it when we got home, but I had unwittingly partaken in drinking some local cider (I was just going to have a half, but was told it was too strong as a half, better as a pint... I then had one more and finished my good ladies), so I got back and promptly fell asleep, I then got woken for tea and then fell asleep again... So the next day I just chucked the 4 bottles in the freezer!
I'd love to get to the point we could make a lot more juice, I think in good years we should be able to produce a good amount - This is not a good year for apples, we'll struggle to fill the stores!
"I was going to pasteurise it when we got home, but I had unwittingly partaken in drinking some local cider (I was just going to have a half, but was told it was too strong as a half, better as a pint... I then had one more and finished my good ladies), so I got back and promptly fell asleep," - Kev, I suspect you are far from the only one this has ever happened to (he personally says, chuckling).
ReplyDeleteNear where I grew up was an outpost of apple growing. Every year in October they have quite a shindig for a month. I have many happy memories of driving there with my parents and sister; we in turn took our children as well. Even last year when we were back in Old Home during October, we went up there and all the memories for all of us were the same, even if some things have changed.
Haha, I think I must have been tired as well! Funny how it all catches up after a few pints of something strong! I like the idea of a long shindig like that! I could certainly get involved.
DeleteWhen I was young and farms were small, I have vivid memories of apple picking and cider pressing. Now hardly anyone has an orchard anymore and those that do charge admission and are more tourist traps looking to part you from your money.
ReplyDeleteI've thought that perhaps someday, if my orchard starts producing more than I can use, I might buy a apple press kit that sells you the metal parts and build my own press and give it a go. I've never really drank a lot of cider but I hope that is because I've only had access to store bought stuff and not the fresh farm pressed variety.
I haven't heard of coring the apples before pressing but I have seen some cut off the blossom end. I don't know why but have always assumed it had something to do with the taste afterwards.
Yeah, it wasn't something I'd heard of. I thought it wasted quite a bit of the apples. Not the end of the world though for how little we were producing.
DeleteI think more small farms could line their hedgerows with fruit like, it's a great thing to have there. In heavy years there will be too much and it can just be given away, a great way to strengthen communities. I hope my next hedge with all the damson trees in will be like that - more than we could consider using, but enough to make a few friendships!
Any chance of you doing a cider making post?
ReplyDeleteNot sure we'll make any this year, I need to invest in my won scratter really!
DeleteI have some posts in the past though - this one always makes me smile as my eldest is such a little dot - http://www.englishhomestead.com/2013/11/cider-apple-picking.html