State of the Apple

Maybe it's the Eden thing, but an apple orchard in autumn radiates a particular security. A walk among ageless trees laden with the mythical fruit is a trip through a special kind of garden. Apples come in many varieties, each cultivated for its own purpose. All have one thing in common; they are good for you. Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which reduces cholesterol, aids digestion, and prevents certain types of cancer. Research indicates that, because apples contain flavonoids, they may reduce the risk of lung cancer and generally improve lung function.

More than half of New Jersey's apples ripen in September. Visitors are often content to roam traditional orchards. Some include wagon rides to the picking area and shops filled with baked goods. Others sell local cider, but few places make their own, for grinding apples to extract their juice for sale requires a small factory.

Of the 30 different apple varieties grown in New Jersey, the Winesap is the oldest, dating back to the late 1700s. Other popular varieties grown in New Jersey include Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Granny Smith. But to give consumers a larger assortment of this popular fruit, researchers are always testing for new varieties. Here are varieties you'll find this fall at Skylands farms.

CORTLAND: Slightly tart taste. Excellent for eating, salads, sauces, pies, baking. Good for freezing.

EMPIRE: Blend of sweet-tart taste. Excellent for out of hand eating, salads. Good to use in baking, pies, sauce, freezing.

FUJI: Very sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating and salads. Good for sauce.

GALA: Mildly sweet flavor. Excellent for fresh eating and salads.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS: Sweet taste Excellent for eating out of hand, salads, sauces. Good to use in pies, baking, freezing.

GRANNY SMITH: Tart tasting Good for all-purpose use.

JONAGOLD: Sweet with a hint of tartness. Excellent for fresh eating, salads, sauces, baking. Good for use in pies, freezing.

JONATHAN:Slightly tart taste. Good for all purpose use.

MACOUN: Very sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating. Good for sauces and salads.

McINTOSH: Sweet with a slightly tart taste. Excellent for eating out of hand and sauces. Good in salads and pies.

RED DELICIOUS: Sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating and salads.

STAYMAN/STAYMAN WINESAP: Slightly tart taste. Good for all purpose use.

  • Choose apples that are bruise-free and firm to the touch
  • Handle gently to prevent bruising
  • Store in the refrigerator
  • To prevent them from ripening too quickly, store apples in a plastic bag
  • Coat apple slices and dices in a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water to prevent them from browning
  • Gently wash apples before eating

Comments

Jennifer
31 Mar 2008, 14:09
Is there a list of orchards to visit?
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  • Bobolink Dairy and Bakeyard

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  • The New Jersey Department of Agriculture

    • provides all kinds of useful information for your autumn picking pleasure through a series of brochures and at their website. The department's marketing efforts include the nationally-recognized Jersey Fresh marketing program which works throughout New Jersey's growing season to remind shoppers that the freshest, locally-grown products are waiting for them at supermarkets, farmers' markets and roadside stands around the state.