The Apple of Your Eye

Fall is the perfect time for a country tour—and North Central Massachusetts is the perfect spot for that tour! Apples hang heavy on the trees, farmstands are piled high with fresh veggies, and the whole family can enjoy a hayride through blazing autumn foliage.

Even though this is known as Johnny Appleseed Country, there’s so much more than apples to sample here. From late summer right through to the first frosty days of October (and beyond, if Mother Nature cooperates!), local farms and orchards are ideal spots for family outings.
Did you know there are dozens of varieties of apples grown here? Your local supermarket may offer a handful of the most familiar, from Red Delicious to Granny Smiths, but the orchards of this region will open your eyes to a whole new world of flavor! You can head out into the orchard to pick your own, or simply make your selections from the stands and stores.

From Ginger Golds and Paula Reds in August to Macouns and Galas in September and Baldwins and Russets in October, there’s always something interesting to pick here.

And biting into a sweet Honey Crisp, juicy Mutsu or tangy Macintosh is just the beginning when you visit a local orchard. The Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, and Carlson Orchards in Harvard invite you to raise a glass, too—of cider pressed from those local fruits.

Cider, of course, was a staple of every New England household in Colonial days. From the first English settlers to the late 1800s, Americans enjoyed cider—and at a time when water often contained dangerous bacteria, cider was a safer, more sanitary beverage option. It was a staple on most dinner tables, and there was even a special version for children. That worked out well for our hometown hero, John Chapman, who traveled west across the growing nation, planting apple trees that may not have produced great fruit for snacking, but provided the apples for cider production.

Unfortunately, cider experienced gradual decline in popularity due to various political and socioeconomic factors over the years, and after the 18th amendment was ratified in 1919, and prohibition of alcohol in the United States took effect, the production of cider became illegal; even fresh apple juice production was severely limited. Prohibitionists ensured that nearly all cider apple trees in the country were given the ax or the torch, undoing much of John Chapman’s work.

But today’s ciders have gone far beyond the staple of centuries ago. Consider these options at Carlson Orchards: Three Brothers Blend, “A semi-dry hard cider made from Heirloom French and American hard cider apples fermented with a white wine yeast from the Burgundy region of France. This cider is crisp, well balanced, and refreshing with just a hint of tartness,” or Blueberry Lavender, “Our newest cider on tap! Starting with our classic “Oak Hill Blend”, we added Blueberry juice, Culinary Lavender, and Spring honey to make a refreshing spring cider.”
In the mood for lunch? Local farms have you covered there, too—with options ranging from prepared deli sandwiches to made-on-site BBQ, brick-oven pizza and more. And don’t forget the ice cream for dessert! Want still more to do? You can find live music on many weekends, too, from Red Apple Farm in Phillipston to Hollis Hills Farm in Fitchburg, as the region celebrates this very special New England season!

Get the kids off the phones and show them where the food they enjoy comes from—down on the farm!