Home/   Products    /Groups/      Attractions

 

         

 

Choosing the Best Apple:

1.    The best apples are brightly colored, firm and free of bruises or damaged skin. 

2.    If the flesh gives under pressure, the apple will be soft. 

3.    Taste and personal preferences will determine the best apple for eating.  Do you like soft

apples like the MacIntosh? Do you like sweet apples like the Golden Delicious or tart apples like

the Empire?  For a description of our varieties of apples see Products or come visit us.

4.    The end use of the apple will determine the grade of apple you should choose.  Lower

grade apples will satisfy your cooking needs.

 

Storing Apples:

General:  Some apples simply keep longer than others such as the IdaRed.  For best results,

place apples in a perforated plastic bag, sprinkle with water and store in the coldest area of the

refrigerator.  Apples may also be stored in cooler areas such as garages or basements, or at

room temperature, but should be checked regularly because they will ripen faster than if stored

in a refrigerator.  Keep apples away from other fruits and vegetables because they give off

ethylene which speeds up ripening.

 

Canning: Wash, pare, core and cut apples into desired size.  Boil 3 to 5 minutes in a thin syrup

consisting of 1 cup sugar and 3 cups water boiled together until sugar is dissolved.  Pack into

jars to within 1/2 inch of top.  Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of jar with boiling syrup.  Put on cap,

screw band firmly tight.  Process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes for pint jars or 25

minutes for quart jars.

 

Freezing: Peel, core and slice apples.  Put in solution to prevent darkening (see below).  Drain

and blanch 2 minutes in boiling water or slice directly into chilled syrup consisting of 1 cup

sugar and 3 cups water boiled together until sugar is dissolved.

 

Preventing Discoloration:  Tablet or crystalline form of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) may be used to

prevent discoloration.  Put 5 tablets of 50 milligrams in bottom of each quart jar before packing

fruit; or add 1/2 teaspoon of crystalline Ascorbic Acid to each quart of the syrup before pouring

over fruit in jars, or use commercial Ascorbic and Citric acid mixture following manufacturer's

directions.

 

Apple Uses:

Apples can be canned, frozen, eaten plain or with dips such as yogurt, caramel, peanut butter,

etc., eaten dried, made into sauce, jelly or cider, or they can be used in a variety of salads,

meat dishes, pies and other desserts.

 

             

Storing Apple Cider:

Apple cider which has been freshly pressed and purchased cold will maintain quality in the

refrigerator at 35-40 degrees F from 7 to 10 days.  Apple cider may also be frozen by removing

approximately an inch to allow for expansion.  The main difference between apple cider and

juice is that apple cider is not processed so it must remain refrigerated. 

 

 

Apple Cider Uses:

Apple cider can be drank cold, warmed with spices added, made into vinegar, hard cider or

apple cider brandy, or used for home remedies.  For some benefits and home remedies of apple

cider see Benefits.  Below are links to several Apple Cider Recipes:

 

       

Benefits of Apples & Apple Cider:

~"The custom of serving fresh fruit, particularly apples, at the end of a meal arose because of

digestive qualities attributed to them by such early medical notables as Hippocrates and Galen,

the latter a second-century Roman physician."

~"The medieval physician's bible, the Salerno medical school's Prescription for Health, taught

therapeutic applications of cooking apples for disturbances of the bowels, lungs and nervous

system, to mention just a few."

~"Apple juice was one of the earliest prescribed antidepressants."

~"Apples' curative powers were documented by self-proclaimed master surgeon John Gerarde

in 1597.  Apples were used as treatments for ailments from "a hot stomacke" and inflammation

of all types, and as a beauty therapy."

                                                                              http://www.usapple.org/consumers/applebits

Eating Apples and Drinking Apple Juice Today May Protect Brain Health Tomorrow
Apple Components Found To Improve Asthma Risk
UC-Davis research with adults finds 100% apple juice, apples good for the heart.
Apple phytonutrients found to provide anti-cancer and anti-oxidant benefits.
A new study shows apple juice is good for bad cholesterol
Here's what pediatricians say about healthy beverage choices
Visit Smart Sippin for information on the role apple juice plays in a childs diet

                                                                                 http://www.appleproducts.org/nutrin.html

 

~"...Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that appears to target "bad" cholesterol (LDL)

according to recent tests.  Eating two apples per day has dropped cholesterol levels in test

subject humans by up to 16 percent.  Apples are also good for diabetics as the soluble fiber

assists in regulating blood sugar, preventing a sudden increase or drop on serum sugar levels. 

Apples are full of vitamins and minerals.  There is no significant variation in the numbers

between the different varieties.  Most health benefits derive from eating the skin along with the

flesh... One medium-sized, raw, cored, unpeeled apple has only 80 calories."

                                                     http://homecooking.about.com/libraryweekly/aa100598a.htm

 

~"(Apples') high vitamin and mineral content boosts the immune system.  It also enriches body

skin and hair.  The mineral called Pectin, is found in large amounts in an apple.  It is the same

element that is found in anti-diarrheal drugs.  The peel of the apple is extremely rich in vitamin

A, whereas the actual fruit contains vitamin C, B-1, B-2, B-6, folic and pantothenic acid.  You

will also find minerals such as potassium and small amounts of copper, magnesium and

phosporus.  You can bid good-bye to your coughs, colds and flue, by having an apple a day."

                                                                    IndiaParenting.com - Home Remedies - Fruit Power

 

~"Health researchers have determined that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables

leads to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.  Nutritionists at the National Cancer Institute

and other health professionals recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables

a day.  Cider. . . is a convenient and refreshing way to help you eat five a day."

                                                                                        http://ohioline.osu.edu/fs-info/fs_2.html

 

~"Although a glass of cider a day cannot guarantee good health, the sweet juice is a good

source of potassium and iron.  Apple cider is pure and natural with no sugar added.  A 6 ounce

glass has only 87 calories.  Apple cider ... contains no cholesterol.  Pectin, contained in apple

cider, has been shown to keep serum cholesterol levels down."

                                                http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgorwn/cider_juice_difference.htm

 

 

              

Fun with Apples:     Games        Crafts        Poems & Songs

Games: 

bobbing for apples is a fun, favorite stand-by.  Fill a large bucket or tub with water and

add apples.  Who catch an apple with their teeth?

Pass the apple is played like hot potato.  Children sit in a circle and pass an apple around

the circle when music is playing.  When the music stopple the child holding the apple sits in the

middle, the "apple pie pot" until the music stops again and the next child replaces the first.  You

may also chant "hot apple, hot apple, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10" and the child who has the

apple on 10 is in the "apple pie pot".  A variation for older children is to have one child hold an

apple under his/her chin and try to pass the apple to a friend.  You could do this in a circle or

you can do a relay race where the children have to run with the apple under their chin.

Apple Sense.  Cut apples into slices and arrange each variety on a separate plate.  Place a

marker under the plate stating which variety of apple is on that plate.  Make a chart of each

variety and their description.  Have the children sample an apple slice from each plate and

describe it.  See if they can match each apple to its name. 

Apple Lessons.  Apples can be used to teach a variety of things from color, counting,

alphabetizing, relationship and size.  Have children count how many apples you have, count out

a number of apples you need, guess how many apples will fit in a basket, arrange apples by

color or size or alphabetize by variety name.  Compare how each apple, like people, are alike

and different and how they bruise easily if you are not nice to them. Find words that start with

"A" like apple.  Find words that rhyme with apple (dapple).

Crafts:  

Stamping with apples can create stars and apples.  To stamp with stars cut the apple

horizontally.  To stamp an apple shape, cut the apple in half vertically.  Dip the apple in a

shallow tin of tempera paint and press the painted apple onto any surface you are allowed to

such as paper, baskets, windows etc. (ask an adult where you can stamp).

Wormy Apples hide a sneaky surprise.  Have an adult use an apple corer to half core the

apple from the top.  Pull out the core, cut away about 1/2 inch at the top to form a puzzle piece

and discard the rest of the core (you may want to save the seeds for the apple shaker craft). 

Now you have a hiding place for the gummy worm in the center of the apple.  Optional:  Carve

the apple intricately making interlocking puzzle pieces.  Reassemble them, leaving the core

piece for last.  Stick a gummy worm in the middle of the apple, then top with the last puzzle

piece.  Wonderful for snack surprises or have children race to take apart their apple puzzle, eat

the worm, and put the apple back together.

Paper Plate Shaker.  Take two sturdy paper plates (the stronger the better).  Place some

apple seeds on one of the plates and place the other plate on top of the first so that both eating

surface areas are facing each other.  Use masking tape to seal the plates together.  Have your

child decorate with markers, glitter, construction paper or ribbons.  When dry, shake!

 

Poems & Songs:

Two little apples smiled at me.  (close thumb & forefinger of each hand to make an

apple) I shook that tree as hard as I could (grab pretend tree and shake) Down fell the

apples --- (raise hands and let fall) MMMMMMMMMM, they were good!

 

Apple on a stick, apple on a stick

I can lick it all day and not get sick.

Apple in a cup, apple in a cup

I can drink it all day and not fill up.

Apple in a crunch, apple in a crunch

I can eat it all day, it is so good to munch.

Apple in a cake, apple in a cake

I can eat it all day with no tummy ache.

Apple in a pie, apple in a pie

I can eat it all day and never cry.

Apple in a dish, apple in a dish

I can eat it all day, it is so delish!

 

Five little apples hung on a tree

The farmer didn't care

So guess who came to eat?

A CATERPILLAR.......MUNCH, MUNCH

Four little apples hung on a tree

The farmer didn't care

So guess who came to eat?

A BIRD.......MUNCH, MUNCH

Three little apples hung on a tree

The farmer didn't care

So guess who came to eat?

A PIG.......MUNCH, MUNCH

Two little apples hung on a tree

The farmer didn't care

So guess who came to eat?

A HORSE.......MUNCH, MUNCH

One little apples hung on a tree

The farmer didn't care

So guess who came to eat?

A SCARECROW.......MUNCH, MUNCH

Now the tree is bare

There are no more apples there

But when next fall comes around

Guess who'll be there?

THE CATERPILLAR

THE BIRD

THE PIG

THE HORSE

and the SCARECROW

YUM!  YUM!

 

Teacher Resources:

http://www.proteach.com

http://www.usapple.org/consumers/kids/index.shtml

 

 

          

Recipes:      Drinks        Deserts        Dishes        Snacks

 

Drinks:

Spiced Apple Tea:  Add 3 tea bags to 1 quart boiling water.  Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Remove tea bags.  Stir in 1/4 cup sugar until dissolved.  Add 2 cups apple cider and reheat. 

Pour into mugs and add a stick of cinnamon to each.

Maple Cider Punch:  Pour 1 cup orange juice in a small saucepan and stir in 3 tablespoons

maple syrup.  Place over medium heat and bring almost to a boil.  (or heat in a microwave-safe

bowl and microwave on high for 3 minutes).  Remove from heat, stir once or twice, and let cool

to room temperature.  Pour 4 cups apple cider, chilled into a pitcher and add the cooled orange

juice and 1 cup chilled ginger ale.  Mix well and serve over ice. 

 

Deserts:

Dumplings with Spicy Cider Sauce:  To prepare the Dumplings preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Peel and core the apple, leaving it otherwise intact.  In large mixing bowl mix 3-3/4 cups flour, 2

tablespoons sugar.  Start working 3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into slices, into the dry mix.  Add

1/4 cup ice water drop by drop only adding just enough to bring the dough together.  Cover the

dough with plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.  While the dough is resting

put 3 cups apple cider, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup apple or other brandy and 2" pieces of ginger,

grated, into a small saucepan and boil until it reaches a syrupy consistency.  Divide the dough

into six equal size balls then roll them out with a rolling pin.  Cut and patch to dough so that it is

big enough to wrap around one apple.  Wrap each apple completely in dough, taking care to

pinch the seams.  Transfer the apple dumplings to an ungreased baking sheet and bake for

approximately 30 minutes, or until light brown.  Serve warm in a bowl with the warm sauce

spooned over it. 

Apple Honey Squares:  Beat 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup honey and 3 eggs.  Mix in 2 cups flour, 1

teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Then mix in 2/3 cup canola

oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups of sliced apples and 1 cup of chopped walnuts.  Bake in a

greased 9x13 inch pan for 40 minutes at 350 degreed F.  Cut into squares when cool. 

Apples Drop Cookies:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup soft

shortening, 1-1/3 cups brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon

ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1 egg.  Beat well.  Sift together 2 cups pre-sifted flour,

1 teaspoon baking soda.  Mix in 1 cup chopped nuts, 1 cup finely shopped apples, 1 cup

raisings and 1/4 cup apple cider.  Drop batter by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheets.  Bake

11 to 14 minutes until light brown.  Spread while hot with white glaze frosting (optional).  Makes

48 cookies.

 

Snacks:

Cinnamon Apple Chips:  Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.  Core apples and slice off 1/2 inch

from top and bottom.  Cut the apple into rings and lightly coat with cinnamon sugar.  Arrange

slices on cake cooling racks being sure none overlap.  Bake 30 to 40 minutes until apple slices

are lightly browned and almost dry to touch.  Let chips cool on racks completely before storing

in an airtight container.  These are great to add to trail mix.

Apple Snicker Salad:  Mix 6 chopped apples, 6 chopped regular size Snicker candy bars and

fold in 12 ounces of cool whip.

Apple Lips:  Coat one side each of two apple slices with peanut butter.  Put miniature

marshmallows on peanut butter on one apple slice and place the other apple slice, peanut

butter side down onto the marshmallows.

Apple Syrup:  Top anything with apple syrup.  Peel and core 5 or 6 apples and cut into small

pieces and mix with 1 tablespoon sugar and one cup water.  Heat in saucepan on low, stirring

often until the mixture becomes syrupy.  Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes before

pouring over ice cream or other food that you like syrup on. 

 

Dishes:

Apple Whipped Sweet Potatoes:  Place 3 cups sliced peeled apples, 3 cups cubed, peeled

sweet potatoes (about 1-1/4 pounds) and 1-1/2 cup apple cider in a 3-quart saucepan.  Cover

and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until tender.  Drain.  Preheat oven to 350

degrees F.  Lightly grease a shallow 1-1/2 quart casserole dish.  Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2

teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1 tablespoon margarine or

butter and 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar.  Mash with mixer or by hand until potatoes are

smooth.  Spread the hot mixture evenly in the baking dish.  Sprinkle with 1/3 cup chopped

pecans if desired.  Bake about 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Apple Pizza:  Roll pizza dough out on tray.  Sprinkle cheese on dough.  Cut apples (pre sliced

thin) on dough.  Mix equal amounts of flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl (enough to cover

pizza).  Sprinkle mixture on pizza.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Apple Sauce:  Use your favorite apples or mix a variety to taste.  For each quart of peeled and

sliced apples add 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

and a pinch of salt.  Cook on stove until tender.  Mash apples with a potato masher or electric

mixer.  Add more sugar if needed.  Serve cold. 

 

 

 

     

Johnny Appleseed:

Johnny Appleseed spent 49 years of his life in the American wilderness planting apple seeds.

Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman. He was born September 26, 1774 in

Massachusetts. He created apple orchards in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and

Ohio. After 200 years, some of those trees still bear apples.

 

Johnny Appleseed’s dream was for a land where blossoming apple trees were everywhere and

no one was hungry. A gentle and kind man, he slept outdoors and walked barefoot around the

country planting apple seeds everywhere he went. It is even told that he made his drinking

water from snow by melting it with his feet.

 

Johnny was a friend to everyone he met. Indians and settlers -- even the animals -- liked

Johnny Appleseed. His clothes were made from sacks and his hat was a tin pot. He also used

his hat for cooking. His favorite book was the Bible.

 

There are many tales about Johnny Appleseed. It is said that once Johnny fell asleep and a

rattlesnake tried to bite him, but the fangs would not go into his foot because his skin was as

tough as an elephant’s hide. Another tale describes him playing with a bear family.

 

Johnny Appleseed died in 1845. It was the only time he had been sick -- in over 70 years!!!

 

 

 

                                                            http://www.applejuice.org/johnnyappleseed.html

 

Teacher Resources:

http://www.proteach.com

http://www.usapple.org/consumers/kids/index.shtml

 

 

 

           

 

E-Coli Concerns:

How does E-Coli get into apple cider?

Un-pasteurized apple cider has been associated with outbreaks of food illness caused by

pathogenic.  The apples used to make the cider were believed to have become contaminated

with manure from dropped apples.  Ritter's Cider Mill does not use dropped apples. 

Contamination of the apple cider with E-Coli resulted from improper cleaning of the apples prior

to pressing the cider.  Another method for contamination would be improper cleansing of the

press clothes.  We meet federal and state regulations as well use as our own high standards.

Who is at risk for E-Coli?

Young children, pregnant ladies and the elderly are at risk to get E-Coli from un-pasteurized

cider.  

http://www.wise.edu/foodsci/cider/expert_qa.html

 

http://usapple.org/educators/research/index.shtml

http://usapple.org/index-c.shtml

 

 

 

 Home/   Products    /Groups/      Attractions