Angelica Haggert
I prefer my apples dunked in caramel or chocolate, maybe
some peanut butter. Sprinkled with candy bits is also a pretty good
apple to me.
But there’s also nothing so pure and delicious as strolling
through an orchard in gorgeous fall weather and snagging a fresh
apple off a tree. The kind of weather where you can’t decide if your
hoodie should be off or on.
When apple picking season begins, you know it is truly fall in
Windsor Essex.
We spent a few hours at Wagners one sunny Saturday in
September, and I munched about four apples just walking around.
Plus, for only $30, I brought home two ginormous bags of apples
that didn’t even all fit in my fridge. I’m not really sure what I’m
going to do with them, but I’ve had two a day for the last week and
a half.
You’re not actually allowed to climb trees at most of the local
orchards, but the trees are so rich with apples, picking ripe apples
from the lower branches, or finding a rare ladder attached to a tree
to get the ones at the top, you’re sure to fill your pick-your-own bag
in no time.
Our geographical location gifts YQG with an abundance of
produce, but the fall apples from the area are some of the best. There
are lots of options for apples in Essex County, with more than half a
dozen local orchards to choose from.
The Big Three
Thiessen’s
At Thiessen’s Orchards, you can pick-your-own apples while the
third-generation owners man the cash register. Though the fields
previously grew tobacco, and flowers, there are now more than 20
acres of apples to pick through. A Bix X 2013 award winner, this
orchard has 10 varieties of apples for you to pluck from the tree
branches, plus a pick-your-own pumpkin patch as well.
Wagner’s Orchards and Estates Winery
Focused on reducing their pesticide use, Wagner’s boasts an
orchard grown without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Their
hayride wagon is a great break from their pick-your-own rows - or
relax with a glass of wine. Five different kinds of apples are grown at
Wagner’s, with their first trees planted way back in 1986.
Meleg’s Lakeview Orchards
At Meleg’s, you can pick 14 different kinds of apples at the same
location they’ve been at since 1951. In addition to apples, Meleg’s
crops include peaches, plums, strawberries, and pears on their 65
acres of land. Their selection of yellow apples is the among the largest
in the area.
Abruzeese, Col-Mac, Kenneth, and Nickels orchards all round out
the pick-your-own experience in Windsor-Essex.
Why Apples?
The next time you’re feeling peckish, reach for an apple instead
of a bag of chips. The health benefits of apples range from immune
system improvement and heart health, to whiter teeth and a boost of
antioxidants. Studies have also shown that apples fight Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s, as well as reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer.
Whether a quick snack, a baked treat, a sliced and dipped munch,
or even a treat for the dog - not much beats the crispness and full
flavour of an apple.
Anyone want to come over for some apple crisp? I feel a baking
day will be in my future!
Where are you exploring this autumn? Tell us about it!
Use the tag #ExploringMatters on Facebook and Twitter to let us know!
8 The HUB -October 2016