Apple bounty

7 September 2022   in Apples, Cider, Orchard by Admin

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After a rather light year in 2021, it is looking like a good crop this year. Several varieties (particularly the Tremlett’s Bitter which you see in the centre of the picture) are biennial, meaning they crop heavily one year and lightly (or not at all) the next. In my orchard, the even years tend to be ‘on’ and the odd ones ‘off’. In 2021 I made very little cider – I had laid down a good stock in 2020 and needed most of the apples for juice sales, which were very brisk. In fact, so brisk that I ran out in July.

The new season’s pressing will start very shortly so the juice should be back in stock soon. The first available variety will be Katy.

As regards cider, the existing stocks of cider for sale are running low – only really Orchard Magic and Russet Tom left – and it is that time of year when the next vintages need to be sampled and decisions made about blending and bottling. So, I now have a range of 12 different ciders and perries which need to be tasted – it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! After that, there will be a new range availble for sale, so watch this space.

I should also mention that we have a new outlet in Basecamp North Lakes – at the Cocklakes Farm Shop near the Troutbeck turn on the A66. Emma Smalley from Alpacaly Ever After is running the new venture and transforming the shop into an exciting new destination. You’ll probably see the alpacas as you whizz past them on the A66.