Apples
Featherstone is currently leasing Hoch Orchard, which is home to 40+ varieties of apples. Some varieties are great for fresh eating, others for baking, and some are only suitable for pressing into cider. So many different varieties also ensure consistent production throughout the growing season. We generally start harvesting apples as early as the end of August, continue harvest into November, and are able to offer a few storage varieties of apples to our Winter CSA members in December. Cider is pressed at the orchard in the fall and through the winter, with the flavors changing ever so slightly as we press different varieties of apples. For more information on the orchard, check out our blog or the original Hoch website.
Storage Tips
Your apples will come in a bag that is suitable for storage. Keep your bag of apples in the crisper drawer in your fridge, preferably away from your veggies. Apples produce ethylene gas, which can cause other vegetables to decompose quicker than usual. Some storage varieties of apples will keep in your fridge for a few months, while others should be eaten up within a week or two. Check the weekly newsletter for specific information on apple varieties!
Our Apple cider is highly perishable and should be refrigerated as soon as possible. This fresh cider is not pasteurized but instead UV treated (see more about this process here). Drink within 1-2 weeks to prevent fermentation in your fridge, or freeze in smaller portions for longer storage.
