Okay, so yesterday I went apple picking with my family. It was a blast, but also a bit overwhelming with so many apples to choose from. I mean, how do you pick the perfect ones? Here’s what I learned and did, maybe it can help you out next time you’re at the orchard.
First off, we got to the orchard pretty early. It’s a good idea to beat the crowds, especially on a weekend. There were rows and rows of apple trees. Each tree was just loaded with fruit, it was quite a sight!
I started by just looking at the apples. I mean, really looking at them. I picked up a few that caught my eye. The first thing I noticed was the color. Some were bright red, others more greenish. But it wasn’t just about the color.
- I checked the entire outside of the apple, especially around the stem and the bottom. You don’t want any bruises or soft spots. I found a few that looked perfect on one side but had a nasty bruise on the other. Sneaky apples!
- Then I gave them a little squeeze. Not too hard, just enough to feel if they were firm. You want them to be solid, not mushy. I gently pressed a small area of the apple to test this out. Some felt a bit soft, so I put them back.
It was kind of like a treasure hunt, searching for the best ones. My kids were having a great time, running around and pointing out apples they liked. My youngest kept trying to grab the low-hanging ones, even though some were clearly not ripe yet. We explained to him that the color and firmness matter. He got it after a while.
We ended up picking a whole bunch of apples. Mostly reds, but also some green and yellow ones. We made sure to twist them off the branch gently instead of pulling. This helps keep the tree healthy for next year.
After a couple of hours, our baskets were full. We headed back, tired but happy. We even bought some apple cider and donuts at the farm stand. Can’t go apple picking without getting some of those, right?
Takeaways from my apple-picking adventure:
- Go early to avoid crowds.
- Look at the whole apple, not just one side.
- Check for firmness, color, and any blemishes.
- Twist, don’t pull, the apples off the tree.
- Enjoy the experience and the tasty treats!
Now, we have tons of apples at home. I’m thinking of making apple pie, applesauce, and maybe even some apple butter. Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments!
