Fall for apples: The harvest is in

For over a century New England has been hailed for its exceptional apples, and for generations of families, the local apple harvest has come to represent an abundance of both fruit and fun. Each fall the area’s bountiful apple crop is honored with country fairs, festivals and apple picking celebrations. Orchard hayrides to rows of trees laden with crisp, red apples has become a sought after autumn event and for many families, a much anticipated annual tradition.

The current “farm to table” movement, coupled with consumer support of family farms has made day trips to local orchards more popular than ever. With area apple growers offering playgrounds, tractor rides and farm stores, sunny fall weekends spent “on the farm” have evolved into a valued weekend activity for all ages.

Today, Massachusetts boasts approximately 550 apple growers who last year produced around 32 million pounds of apples. The Spencer Journal region is fortunate to host some of the best orchards in the state to pick your own (or pick up a bag) of fresh New England grown apples.

Local apples

There is no doubt about it, the family orchard as a destination stop has been increasing as families strive to spend quality time together. With Pick your Own opportunities, rides to the trees, picnic tables, and play areas, the local orchard offers an enjoyable experience for all ages. Add to that farm stores with local goods, fresh pressed cider and baked goods and it’s no wonder more and more people are flocking to country orchards.

And family farms are continuously working to grow the best Mother Nature has to offer. The local farmers share that they are planting new, exciting strains of apple trees in a quest to produce different varieties. In fact, expanding offerings while maintaining an old fashioned experience is another way the farmers attract more patrons.

Need another reason to visit a local apple orchard? Here it is: Apples are consistently fresh. Buying apples in season at the grocery store doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting that season’s crop of apples. In fact if you buy imported apples at the supermarket, chances are they are over a year old.

According to Martin Lindstrom, author of Brainwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy, the average supermarket apple is 14 months old.

Stats on consuming apples

U.S. Apple Crop Facts report the annual crop of orchard apples are consumed as such:

Two-thirds of the U.S. crop is eaten fresh and one-third goes to processed uses (apple juice, applesauce, apple butter, packaged apple slices, etc.) In fact, the average American consumes about 16 to 18.5 pounds of fresh apples each year.

Apple varieties change over time. According to the US Apple Association, Gala apples are currently the most grown apple variety across the country, toppling Red Delicious since 2018, which held the top spot for 50 years. However, here in New England, the classic MacIntosh apple still reigns supreme as the most planted apple crop, and remains a favorite with local consumers. That said, as consumer tastes shift, apple growers adapt their orchards, by trimming the trees down to a main trunk and several large branches, and then grafting growing tips of the new variety into those remaining branches. This allows growers to quickly (within 2 years) produce the new variety to meet consumer demand. An example of this is Honeycrisp, which has gained popularity, steadily moving up the chart of New England favorites.

The top ten apple varieties currently grown in New England are a mix of heirloom, classic, and modern apple varieties:

1. MacIntosh
2. Cortland
3. Macoun
4. Honeycrisp
5. Empire
6. Baldwin
7. Gala
8. Northern Spy
9. Braeburn
10. Jonagold/Rome

Take two apples and call me in the morning

Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fiber found in the tissue of plants. Plentiful in the skin and pulp of fresh apples, the substance is more than a thickener for jellies and jams. Various studies confirm pectin’s valuable health benefits that include lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, reducing the risk of heart disease, aiding digestion and promoting weight loss.

So what exactly is pectin’s magic bullet? Pectin is a gel like complex carbohydrate that binds substances in the body. Its properties have been shown to reduce LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol. Further, studies reveal pectin has the ability to absorb up to four times its weight in cholesterol

Medical studies also show apples can help manage blood sugar in diabetics by stabilizing insulin levels normal. Pectin does this by slowing the absorption of sugar in the intestines.

In addition pectin is a natural probiotic, been hailed as an effective remedy for constipation and is being studied for bowel diseases. Further claims report the pectin in apples can accelerate weight loss.

Apples are not only full of flavor, they are also jam packed with nutrients. A single apple contains natural Vitamin C, B-Complex vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients. The disease-fighting profile of apples provides a multitude of health benefits, including a potential decreased risk of cancer and heart disease. And several studies have indicated that eating apples can improve lung health. Among research findings is that those who ate five apples per week also had a lower risk for respiratory disease.

While the average American eats nearly 20 pounds of fresh apples a year, that factors out to just about one apple per week per person. Dietary recommendations come back to the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and dieticians now recommend eating at least one fresh apple (skin on) daily to reap optimum health advantages.