Apple Cider and Apple Picking with Skagit Fresh

October 18, 2011

See on Map

Nothing says fall like a tree heavy with apples ready to be picked. Okay, freshly baked pie and just-pressed apple cider are also pretty classic indicators of autumn. Fortunately, the Skagit Valley, just north of Seattle, is the place to find all three of these.

Recently I spent two days with Alan Merritt, Richard Sakuma and Jim Perkins helping to document the story of Skagit Fresh Cider. Last year was the inaugural year for this delicious cider (as regular readers may recall) and I’m so happy to report that it’s back and in the dairy cases at Whole Foods Markets in the Northwest.

What goes into Skagit Fresh Cider? Only one ingredient – apples, and only apples, grown by Alan, Richard and Jim on their farms. The result is cider that tastes exactly like a fresh-picked apple on a perfect fall day. It’s one of my absolute favorite seasonal treats.

This is Alan Merritt – he grows apples and has cider press located on his farm. He’s also the owner of Rosabella’s Garden Bakery, which is a fantastic spot for homemade apple pies and fresh apple cider donuts.

Richard Sakuma of Sakuma Bros. Farms & Market also grows blueberries and raspberries, which are used in the Apple Blueberry and Apple Raspberry Ciders.

And then finally here’s Jim Perkins, who grows over 50 varieties of apples. He also grows grapes and makes wine on his farm, Eagle Haven Winery.

And I promised you apple pie, right? Here’s one of Alan and Rose’s famous apple pies, their own secret recipe made with at least three kinds of fresh apples from their orchard. It’s absolutely packed with apples – there’s no gap between the apple filling and the top crust!

A slice of pie and a glass of apple cider (either hot or cold) is the perfect taste of fall. Do you have a favorite apple recipe or favorite place to get apples this time of year?