One of our friend’s showing off his apple picking technique.
So, what’s new at the orchard? As the waning days of August become the first days of September, we continue our efforts to harvest apples. The Gingergold have been picked, as also the Gala. We are finishing the McIntosh and the Honeycrisp this week. Cortland apples are approaching their maturity as are the Empire, Yellow Delicious and soon the Red Delicious will also be ready to pick.
Customers ask how the apples are harvested. The answer is simple, one by one. This response surprises them as in this age of technology it is sometimes thought that there is a mechanical piece of equipment that makes harvest less labor intensive. We could only wish for that. Our pickers use “buckets” which are bags that are designed with shoulder straps to support the weight of the apples and each apple is picked, one by one. It’s not rocket science to be able to pick fruit but there needs to be an understanding of overall fruit development. Next year’s apples are being formed by this year’s fruit bud. Although, it looks as if the pickers “pluck” the apples, it is important that they pick the fruit without disturbing the fruit bud set for next year. It takes a little practice but most catch on quickly. How the picker places his hands on the fruit is also important. Placing the forefinger and thumb on the apple and pulling it from the twigs will create finger prints on the ripe fruit. It is necessary to “palm” the fruit alleviating any undue finger pressure on the ripe fruit and using your thumb nail to separate the stem from the twig of the tree. This practice of “palming” is one that consumers should try to practice when shopping at the markets or grocery stores. Placing the fruit in the palm of your hand actually offers a better idea of its ripeness than using the fingers to press or squeeze it several times. Pressing and squeezing pieces of fruit actually results in bruising and spoilage. Honeycrisp and McIntosh apples are notoriously famous for their tendencies to bruise.
So, as the labor intensity of harvest continues, we want our customers to know we try to do our best in bringing good produce to market and invite everyone to enjoy the “fruits of our labor.” To all of those who visit us at our markets, thank you and “healthy eating!”