Tennessee’s apple harvest started in late July and has ramped up with good prospects for a quality crop statewide. The harvest schedule appears to be running at least a week or two early, with an increased presence of fresh apples on farms, at farmers’ markets and in community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes across the state.
One benefit to picking up apples on site is access to the homemade foods most orchards make available. Depending on the orchard, visitors might enjoy apple ciders or slushies, and most sell an array of pies, fritters, apple butters and jellies.
Apple varieties ripen at varying times and some varieties have reputations for being best suited for specific purposes.
All apples are great for eating fresh, but apples that will hold their shapes when sliced and cooked, like Fuji, Jonagold and Arkansas Black, are favored for pies and dumplings. For apples that yield smooth apple sauce or butter when cooked, try Golden Delicious, McIntosh or Gala apples.
Apples have the longest harvest schedule of any fruit grown in Tennessee, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of flavors over a long period.
Ozark Gold, Gala and Honeycrisp are among the varieties currently being picked. Most of Tennessee’s crop will be ripe in September and October, and a few varieties, including Arkansas Black, Pink Lady and Goldrush, are harvested in early November.
Find Tennessee orchards, local farmers markets and CSAs on the Web at www.PickTnProducts.org or with Pick Tennessee mobile app. Follow Pick Tennessee on social media to learn more about current seasonal products, recipes and activities.
Source: Pick Tennessee