Know Your Apples  

Hi Everyone!
 As you can tell by the increase of fruit in your shares, we are approaching fall harvest season!

So far in the shares we have only seen one type of apple (ginger gold) but since we are sure to see many more throughout the rest of the season, I thought I would provide some information on the different types we grow, what they are like, when we harvest them and what they are best used for.

This is a topic that I totally love because it is kind of a recent discovery for me. Before starting at Bishop's Orchards I really didn't pay much attention to the different varieties of apples. Yeah, I knew some were green and some were red, and that I liked the crispy ones but hated the mealy ones, ...but there is so much more than that. There are SO many different apple varieties and there really, truly is a big difference between most of them. If you are a fan of snacking on, or cooking with, apples then I would say it is definitely worth your time to try a few different types side-by-side so you can compare the flavors and textures.

 I found these diagrams in a magazine. They provide some really useful information, and we grow all of these apples with except Granny Smith. I have also uploaded a chart that I made... it lists all of the varieties we grow and some other basic helpful tid bits. (Click on the images to enlarge)

 In the past year I have discovered that my personal favorite is the Honeycrisp apple....I have also discovered that apples right off the tree taste SIGNIFICANTLY better than anything you find hanging out in a grocery store in the middle of December. I know that sounds obvious, but really .. the difference is incredible. I encourage you all to take full advantage of the fall harvest season and love every fresh apple that you eat! 

If you have any questions about any type of apple, or about apples in general, please ask! I can relay any questions I don't know to Brad and he can surely answer them.

 -B

Apple Chart