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Did you know that apples change through the season? The apples that ripen earlier may have that perfect combination of spark and crispness. As the season progresses they may lose their appeal and others ripen to take their place. Mid-season varieties are of the greatest number and late-season varieties are the ones that last best into the winter. When an apple is picked during the season depends on its growing season (some are longer than others) and how much moisture and sun it had during those ripening days of summer. Finally the cold nights and warm days of the autumn give apples their finishing color and flavor. Knowing just when to pick an apple is important to the taste and keeping qualities of that apple.
As apples ripen and are picked, just the mere storage of them at the perfect temperature and moisture level, will help them lose their "starchiness" and gain in flavor. That means that the starch of the pulp converts to sugar causing the apple to become more full-flavored after a week or so of its picking. While some apples are just not going to stay crisp, others have their crispness as one of their best traits. The best thing for customers to do is to take home the amount of apples they can keep refrigerated then come back for more in another two or three weeks. Some customers come back weekly and buy a different variety each time.
Most apples are good for eating out of hand, for cooking and for baking. While it is difficult to know the likes of each customer, we supply this following chart to try to help you out. We will advise you on the best choices for the time of the great fall season and beyond. What makes an apple a great "cooking and baking" apple? Holding its shape while baking through is important. Flavor is very important, of course.
For eating out of hand there is no better way to decide which apple to take than to try a sample – every week. There are so many new varieties these days that you should not let an unfamiliar name keep you from trying it.
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Ripening Dates and Uses for PYO and In-Store Apples
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Variety(Flavor/Texture)
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Uses
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Season
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Lodi(tart)
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Sauce/Pies
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Late July
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Jersey Mac(sweet, crisp)
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Eating, Sauce, Pies
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August
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Paula Red(tart, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies
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August
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Ginger Gold (tart)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Mid August/Mid Sept
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Honey Crisp (full flavored)
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Eating, Wow!
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Mid.Sept.-Oct.
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McIntosh (sweet, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies
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Mid.Sept.-Oct.
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Cortland (spicy, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Mid.Sept.-Oct.
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Empire (sweet, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Mid.Sept.-April
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Jonagold (tart, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Mid.Sept.-Jan.
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Gala (mild, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Late Sept.-Nov.
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Macoun (spicy, crisp)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Mid,Sept.-Oct.
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Jonathan (tart)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Late Sept - Nov
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Red Delicious (sweet, hard)
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Eating
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Oct.-April
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Golden Delicious (sweet, hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Oct.-April
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Melrose (tart, hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Oct.-April
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Ida Red (tart, hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Oct.-April
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Crispin (Mutsu)(tart, hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Oct.-April
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Stayman-Winesap (tart, hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Oct.-April
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Sun Crisp (tangy)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Nov - Jan
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Fuji (sweet,hard)
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Eating,Sauce,Pies,Baking
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Nov - April
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Goldrush (tart,hard)
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Eating
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Nov - April
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Braeburn (very tart,hard)
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Eating,Pies
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Nov - April
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Pick Your Own Apples
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What a delightful experience! On Saturdays and Sundays you can hop on a wagon and ride out to the orchards for your favorite variety and pick as many as you like – just a few to eat or bushels to store for winter. During the week you can pick your own apples as well but you will be directed to the orchard where you will walk to the trees loaded with ripe apples.
Before you pick, you'll want to be sure you ask for advice on:
How to Pick: Twist the apple rather than pull.
How to Store: Refrigeration is best. In a plastic bag with air holes for maintaining a good moisture level.
When to Pick Which Variety: You can ask at or call the market for advice as well. The general timing is mid-September through mid-October but call for specific
varieties and timing – 440-729-1964.
There are actually apples to be self-picked in August! If you look at the chart of apple varieties, please note that many times the pick your own apples are available a week earlier than they are in the market.
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Freshly-Pressed Apple Cider
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Our freshly-pressed apple cider is available fresh from September through Spring at our store as well as local grocery stores. In June we begin selling cider we have frozen in season for the summer. (just as good).
Our process of cider making involves taking the freshly-pressed apple cider and removing the pulp by a filtering process which removes the sediment found on the bottom of most other cider.
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Our cider is pasteurized to ensure safety. There is a small amount (not more than .1 of .1 %) of preservative (potassium sorbate) to increase shelf life. We feel our cider is the best there is to offer in the industry. We invite you to try some today!
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440-729-1963
Orchard Hills Center
11414 Caves Road
Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Special Events, retreats, conferences, weddings, and receptions.
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Click here for map
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Copyright 2010 Patterson Fruit Farm
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