Call me an optimist. In the past few weeks, I ordered a few apple trees (several crabapples and the unnamed apple known as Minnesota 447) from online suppliers. They won’t be shipped until next April, but already I can squint and see my own little orchard take shape. I already have planted Zestar!, Honeycrisp, Honeygold and Gravenstein trees and we have an established Jonathan tree — at least I think that’s what it is. Might be a McIntosh.

All of which means — in an optimist’s world — that I’m going to need my own cider press. I’m a big fan of the fresh, tart taste of cider. Warmed up or cooled down, it doesn’t matter. Add a little whiff of cinnamon, and all the romantic flavors and images of fall come rushing to mind.

So, of course, I ordered one. I got a “Homesteader” model from Happy Valley Ranch in Kansas. I talked to them this morning and they hope to ship it today. I could have it by Monday. And be pressing my own cider by Tuesday. Well, I could be if I actually had apples.

Visions of future apples doesn’t quite cut it. I have a neighbor with a small orchard I need to meet. And I stopped at a mom and pop place yesterday to inquire about buying their small apples in bulk. I think we’ll work something out that will benefit us both.

Have you ever pressed sweet cider or made hard cider? Got suggestions for varieties of apples to use? I’m eager for information or advice!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 at 10:30 am and is filed under Apples, Plums + Tree fruits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.