By Amelia Jewett ’27
When most think of autumn, they picture falling leaves, pumpkin patches, hay rides, and most importantly: apple picking. Apple picking is a yearly tradition for many New Englanders and is a festive activity for all to enjoy. However, sometimes it can be hard to find a good orchard or the right time to go.
Apple picking season is typically between late August and early November, but the ideal time is generally considered to be September to early October. However, the specifics of the perfect time can vary depending on the type of apple. Obviously there is quite a range as there are approximately 200 varieties of apples grown in the US. Some sweet apples include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Red Delicious and the more sour alternatives are Granny Smith and Pink Lady. Most apple orchards offer a large selection of different types so you can have fun discovering which is more your speed.
Finding an apple orchard close to Beverly isn’t very hard. There are many places that not only offer apple picking but also provide a whole day’s worth of fun, from apple cider donuts to hay rides, corn mazes, animals, and farmers markets.. Some popular local locations include: Russells Orchard, Brooksby Farm, Marini Farm, and Connors Farm.
However, you may return home with a few more apples than you can finish yourself. To this, there are many solutions. There are countless recipes to make that will cause your taste buds to melt and your kitchen to smell like a cinnamon-spiced autumn afternoon. From pies, tarts, crumbles and cakes, to salads, soups, sandwiches and pancakes, you can find a recipe for any occasion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try something new.
So next time you are looking for something to do this fall, consider getting out into the crisp autumn air and enjoying a day with friends or family at a local farm. Apple picking is such a wonderful activity that will hopefully give you a memorable experience this fall!
Image credit: Timeout Media
