Tsugaru Apple Orchard
If you are someone who gets excited about trying new foods, or geeks out over new ingredients, then you are going to love this! I recently discovered a variety of apple I’d never heard of before.
It was a gloriously beautiful day, the kind of day where you just want to stay outside in the sun and play. My friend, Erin and I drove almost two hours from home to take our kids apple picking. I’d been wanting to take the kids to an apple orchard since we moved to Washington State, but for a state that produces tons of apples, there are relatively few u-pick farms, especially in Western Washington. Well, we found a lovely one near Bellingham, WA called Bellewood Acres.
I know it may seem silly to get excited about apples, but if in season farm-to-table eating is your thing you will totally understand. Also, this apple is special. Literally, I got giddy tasting it. It is called a Tsugaru apple and it originated in Japan. It is a really sweet and juicy gem with red to reddish-yellow skin. They are great for cooking and for salads because they take longer to brown after being cut. I have been sending them cut up in my kids lunches this week and they stay beautiful, no lemon juice required! They bake well too, holding their shape while still getting soft. I made them into apple cinnamon pancakes on Sunday and my kids loved them!
Tsugaru Apples
If you are close to a u-pick apple orchard that is growing these beauties, I highly recommend going to pick some very soon. We had a lovely day at the farm on Saturday. We picked Tsugaru apples (20 pounds of them!) and connected with the beauty of the season. My daughter had just been studying apples at school so, she instructed us in the proper technique for picking apples. Hold firmly, gently push up, twist and pull down. She was proud to impart her wisdom on us! The kids had a fabulous time picking apples and they also enjoyed identifying the other crops growing at the farm: squash, pumpkins, corn, sunflowers, and many other varieties of apples. My children were very proud that they picked so many apples and have been enjoying them with the special sense that comes from knowing where they were grown and that they helped harvest them.
I was told the Tsugaru apples have a short season. From August to September only. If you are unable to pick some yourself, check your local farmer’s market or specialty grocery store. Also, you may be able to order them online. Melissa’s Organic Produce has a page about them. I hope you get to try these very sweet gifts of nature. If you can’t find them then a golden delicious or honey crisp can be a good substitute. No matter what variety of apple you are eating, enjoy apple season!