Join Us For An Apple Picking Adventure - From Orchards And Hayrides, To Bushels And Brews

(When I was young)

“Grandma, how many more days?” “By the end of next week, they should be ready.”

“But, why not now?” “They’re just not ripe yet, hun.”

“Red ones or green ones?” “The green ones make the best applesauce.”

“With cinnamon?” “Can’t forget the cinnamon!”

(When they were young)

“Assels, assels!” “No honey, it’s apples. P, like p-p-p-pig.” “Look mommy, assels, assels!”

Amidst chuckles and grins from passersby at humorous toddler mispronunciations, underneath the beaming sunlight, as she nearly wiggled out of my arms I slowly watched as her tiny, but apparently strong, hands plucked a marbled green and red fruit from the tree.

Her eyes wide, her tiny teeth attempting to pierce the apple’s skin, saliva dripping down the rounded surface, barely shaving off a thin layer, I now see her chewing. “Mmmm, so good assels!”

(And now…)

These days, I find myself treasuring quiet moments - time in the kitchen, time in the sunlight, loud laughter, long walks in nature, cool breezes, crisp air - all of it.

And, apple picking…well, this memorable activity truly fulfills each of these desires and delights!

What about you?

Was apple picking a part of your childhood? Do you enjoy their classic crisp, crunch, followed by equally sweet and tart tastes?

Is apple picking a family affair for you, or do you enjoy quiet moments alone, basket in hand, walking amongst row after row of trees which seem to explode with these fabulous fall fruits?

Sounds idyllic, right, even a bit sappy…like a Hallmark movie or something?

Perhaps.

Or, could it be that an afternoon spent with loved ones, with friends, or alone, out in nature, happily picking apples, is just what we need amidst our oftentimes rushed and hectic lives?

Whether or not you live in an area where apple picking is popular or possible, I hope you’ll enjoy our tribute today to this fun, time honored, tasty tradition as we explore apple orchards, apple picking, and some tasty ways to enjoy this fruit in our Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee!

Apple Picking - It’s Tradition!

From small family farms where folks quietly stroll down row after row, picking apples by the bushel, to crowded orchards complete with live music, family photo ops, corn mazes, and fried pies, apple picking season is a favorite time of year for many people all across the US.

In fact, this fruit frenzied time of year yields roughly 240 million bushels of apples according to the US Apple Association.

Some folks pick apples solely for fresh fruit snacks throughout the subsequent days and weeks.

Others carefully select specific varieties, perfect for baking holiday pies, cakes, muffins, and more.

Then there’s also many who cart home bushel after bushel to make applesauce, butters, and fillings, canned or frozen for enjoyment until the next fall season.

And, while each of these provides fun and fulfillment in a variety of ways, for me it’s the memories being made that make this season so meaningful.

As we explore varying apple season traditions that take place across our great nation, I hope you’ll gain a few ideas and allow your mind to flood with warm, adventurous memories of your own surrounding this treasured American pastime.

Northeastern Apple Picking

Both the New England states and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the US have a time-honored tradition of apple picking.

Even better, these regions provide one of the most beautiful backdrops in all the country…the world perhaps…for spending time outdoors in the fall months.

The New England states, while these make up a rather small portion of the country, are home to a wonderful variance of apple tastes, producing both sweet and sour varieties.

And, in the Mid-Atlantic regions across Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia, apple picking isn’t just a seasonal adventure, but a way of life, as these states produce more apples than anywhere else in the country…second only to the state of Washington, of course.

Most think of New York (the Big Apple) as a hurried, busy, urban state, but we often forget this region is home to a grand amount of beautiful, quiet countryside. And, it’s this aspect of the state that apple-lovers enjoy, describing apple-picking in the northeast as an opportunity to experience slow-paced, country living.

Some families even opt to slow things down via train ride, enjoying through the many-hued countryside as they take time to see the sites prior carefully selecting bushels full of tasty apples.

Gala, Macintosh, Cortland, Pixie Crunch, Jonamac, Ginger Gold, Fuji, Empire, Honeycrisp, and countless others, including timeless options and newly crossbred fruits are abundant apple picking prizes throughout the Northeastern US region.

Southeastern Apple Picking

Do apples grow in the southeastern parts of the US? I mean, this fruit does require varied temps, including a cold season, so what does this mean for southeastern states when it comes to orchard life?

Believe it or not, there are indeed some areas in the southeastern part of our nation which produce some truly tasty apples!

And, likely due to their rarity, those locations with thriving orchards pull out all the stops when it comes to celebrating throughout the harvest season.

Most orchards in this area do fall right, offering cider slushies, fresh pressed cider, cider donuts, and more to enjoy during hay and wagon rides hauling families out to row after row of trees awaiting the happy pickers.

Some of the most popular apple varieties grown in the southeast include the Arkansas Black, King David, Winesap, Cameo, Crimson Crisp, Empire, and Evercrisp.

Midwestern Apple Picking

I grew up in Indiana, and I now reside in Kentucky.

While in the Hoosier State, I can’t remember my family ever venturing out to an orchard for an afternoon of apple picking, probably because we had roughly a dozen apple trees that served as a border between my parents’ and grandparents’ houses.

So, apple picking as a child consisted of me, my brothers, and our cousin (Lifeboost CEO, Charles Livingston, who sometimes participated in apple throwing competitions with us, but you didn’t hear that from me), gathering apples prior to mowing or spending time in the kitchen ‘helping’ my grandma make applesauce after my grandpa would pick several bushels.

Now in Kentucky, which I equally term a midwestern state, I live only ten minutes from a family-owned orchard (Evan’s Orchard in Georgetown, KY) known for its big crowds and frequent festivals celebrating all things apple!

Here in the midwest, apple trees are one of the most commonly grown fruit trees as the conditions are ripe for the picking, with sunny summers and cold winters.

And, this abundant tree population means an abundance of opportunities for picking, buying, selling, eating, slicing, canning, cooking, and more!

Offering the perfect prep for hours of picking - cider, caramel apples, cider donuts, fried pies, cider slushies and more are readily available for those visiting most any midwestern orchard.

Aside from this, hayrides, mazes, playground adventures, barnyard petting zoos, apple cannons, and other activities await what many have turned into an entire season of family fun!

Oh, we can’t forget the apple varieties!

With the midwest stretching from Indiana (and arguably parts of Ohio) to Illinois, parts of Kentucky, through Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Nebraska, and everywhere in between, this region boasts some serious apple output!

From the classic Red and Yellow Delicious, to Honeycrisp, Fuji, Rome, Jonathon, Idared, Granny Smith, Evercrisp, Gala, Jongold, Winesap, Pinklady, and so much more, having sampled many of these varieties, I can assuredly say the midwest knows their apples.

And, as any midwesterner will tell you, before venturing out, remember your shades and plan to wear light layers as the sun shines bright and temps vastly vary throughout the day in most midwestern states throughout apple season.

Southwestern Apple Picking

It’s true, this region of our country isn’t typically known for apple growing or picking.

However, apples can be grown here, and this unique climate offers some delicious fruit selections.

The hot and dry southwestern climate means the varieties of apples grown here must be able to withstand hot summers with a much shorter ‘chilling period.’

So, if you’re typically used to northeastern, northwestern, or midwestern varieties, options such as the Ein Shemer, a sweet and yellow apple, a Dorset Golden with its firm, white flesh and bright yellow to pink-red skin, or an Anna, one of the sweetest varieties grown here, may be rare treats should you visit these regions during apple season.

Admittedly, apple picking is a tad more difficult here with extreme temperatures being a marked distinction in southwestern states like Arizona, even in the fall, but those orchards thriving in valleys with warm days and cool nights indeed offer conditions ripe for picking.

Western Apple Picking

I’m not from the west or northwest, so I can only speak of these regions with serious apple-picking envy.

I saved this region for last as Washington (and surrounding states) are home to some of the country's best apples.

Washington, in fact, is considered apple country, producing more apples than any other state in the US, more than 30 varieties, to be exact.

According to the Washington Apple Commission, the state’s nutrient-rich soil, arid climate, and advanced growing techniques contribute to its great apple success.

As you can imagine, this region is also home to fabulous fall festivals, celebrating apple harvests, including tractor rides, hay rides, cider sipping, slice sampling, and more.

But Washington isn’t the only western apple-picking hotspot!

Oregon and California are also home to some of the country’s best orchards, with these western and northwestern regions of the country producing some of the nation’s best apples, including Granny Smith, Spartan, Red Rome, Cosmic, Ambrosia, Braeburn, and Pacific Rose varieties.

Nature trails, self-picking locations, wagon rides, picnic areas, and even the opportunity to press your own cider awaits those looking to enjoy an afternoon of apple-picking in many western and northwestern orchards.

Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee Recipes

1- Brown Sugar Apple Coffee - Iced or Hot

Typically, after a fun, fulfilling day of apple picking, the next few days can be happily spent in the kitchen, putting those fruits to good use.

Some folks enjoy making cobblers, cakes, breads, and pies, but I must say, using those freshly picked apples to make a homemade brown sugar apple syrup for use in coffee sounds like the perfect fall treat for all of us coffee fanatics!

Of course, we won’t judge you at all if you decide to make a delicious loaf of cinnamon apple bread or a sweet homemade pie to enjoy alongside this tasty beverage!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed (or freshly brewed) Lifeboost Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee
• 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar apple syrup (see recipe below)
• 2 tablespoons half and half
• Whipped cream, optional for topping
• Ground cinnamon, optional for topping
• ice

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass and pour cold brew over ice. (If using freshly brewed coffee, simply pour the hot coffee into your favorite mug.)
• Stir in brown sugar apple syrup and half and half.
• Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, if desired, and enjoy!

Brown Sugar Apple Syrup

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 large apples (honeycrisp is recommended)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)

Add water, brown sugar, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until sugar is fully dissolved (approximately 1-2 minutes).

Add apples to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until apples are very soft.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter (if using) and vanilla.

Pour the mixture into a glass jar, through a fine mesh strainer, removing the large apple pieces.

Allow the syrup to cool completely, and store for up to two weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Be sure to shake before using.

2- Caramel Apple Latte

Caramel apples just might be my favorite fall treat…above pies, cakes, and muffins, even above all things pumpkin! (Yes, I dared to utter those words.)

I just love the palate pleasing pairing of sweet, gooey, rich caramel with tart, crisp, juicy apples.
Ah, my mouth is watering just thinking of it!

Next after a juicy, sweet caramel apple, however, is a sippable savoring…a warm glass of apple cider, complete with a swirl of caramel sauce. And personally, I never stir in this addition, because I love getting a random surge of caramel sweetness.

But, I truly learned what “taking it up a notch” meant when I tried our Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee in place of cider for the perfect fall treat, apple picking companion, Saturday morning errand cup-filler, quiet morning mug-masterpiece…as you can tell, I could just go on and on about this one!

The bottom line - if you love coffee, caramel, and apples - you’re going to love this latte!

Ingredients

• 4 ounces strongly brewed Lifeboost Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee
• 2-3 tablespoons (or more to taste) caramel apple sauce (see recipe below)
• 4 ounces milk
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Caramel sauce, for topping

Instructions

• Pour freshly brewed coffee into your favorite mug, then stir in caramel apple sauce.
• Add milk to an electric frother and froth on the heated setting.
• Pour frothed milk over caramel apple coffee, then top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Sauce

• ¼ cup apple butter
• ¼ cup caramel sauce

Whisk apple butter and caramel sauce together in a bowl until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks
.
**If you’d like to try this latte iced, you can use cold brewed Lifeboost Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee instead of freshly brewed.

Then, once you stir in the caramel apple sauce, you can either add cold milk to the brew or froth the milk in an electric frother on the cold setting prior to adding it to the coffee mixture.

Once you’ve added the milk (or frothed milk), feel free to top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Yum!

3- Coffee Cider Celebration

Super simple, yet incredibly tasty…that’s my kind of recipe!

This delicious creation is perfect after a trip to your favorite orchard where you’ve enjoyed a day full of apple picking, bringing home a bushel of fruit and a gallon or two of the farm’s best cider.

You can also enjoy this one hot or iced!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (cold brewed or freshly brewed, hot) Lifeboost Cinnamon Apple Streusel Coffee
• ¼ cup fresh apple cider
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce, plus extra for topping
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Ice (for iced version only)

Instructions

• For hot:
• Add hot coffee to your favorite mug.
• Stir in caramel sauce.
• Add apple cider to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until cider is warmed. Add warmed cider to the coffee-caramel mixture and stir to combine.
• Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce and enjoy!

For iced:

• Add ice to a tall glass, then pour cold brew over ice.
• Add cider and caramel sauce to the cold brew and stir to combine.
• Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Cinnamon Apple Streusel.

References:

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/best-apple-picking-every-region/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/fall-vacations/best-orchards-for-apple-picking

https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/the-25-top-places-to-go-apple-picking-across-america

https://waapple.org/regions/#

https://waapple.org/varieties/all/

https://www.portlandnursery.com/fruits/apple#

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/garden-by-region/southwest/southwest-fruit-trees.htm#

https://ncapplegrowers.com/apple-varieties/

https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/brown-sugar-apple-iced-coffee/

https://yestoyolks.com/2021/09/08/caramel-apple-latte/