I was over at King Orchards buying more apples when John King told me the news. They were getting a cider operation going again. Now this is really news, because they used to make cider—and very successfully too—but decided if they were going to work that hard they might as well just go ahead and farm.
OK, it was more complicated than that, but fast forward 30 years and cider-making looks like fun again, at least to John and Jim. (They are guys, they like machinery.)
Off I went to watch the installation of the equipment and the testing of the equipment and the Ritual Cussing of the Equipment. (We bless the blossoms Around Here. The equipment, not so much.)
Ready for the Ritual Cussing
We have progress – Apple Lift-off!
Today I went back over there and guess what.
Yes indeed, the first 2012 pressing of Real Cider awaits you. This is unpasteurized cider. The good stuff. It is enough to make you weep with nostalgia for the rustling leaves of childhood.
Want atmosphere? Here you go:
My assessment of the 2012 pressing? It pairs well with autumn, my very favorite time of year.
Torch Lake Views 
shoreacres
October 21, 2012
Oh, doesn’t that sound good! I’m heading north this week – I don’t imagine I’ll find any cider in north Texas or Oklahoma, but it might be possible in Missouri. Last year, I found some in Illinois, and it was remarkable. So were the apple cider doughnuts, now that I think about it.
If I find apple cider doughnuts AND cider – well! That would be worth a stop under a big maple tree for a little munching and meditating!
Gerry
October 21, 2012
May you find Cider Nirvana Up North. (Missouri??? One day you must re-visit the 45th Parallel.)
Martha
October 21, 2012
You are still so green! Our grass is green, but we don’t have the green shrubs and trees that you do. The cherry orchards are nearly blaze orange at this point and the apple trees are yellowed.
Apple cider this time of year is so wonderful. A little moat for a cloud of vanilla ice cream…
Gerry
October 21, 2012
We have had rain. Quite a lot of rain, actually. It is not so much a matter of “still” so green as Finally!! Green!! – and then golden . . .
P.j. grath
October 21, 2012
I love, love, love big wooden apple boxes full of apples! I especially love that I am not the one who had to pick the apples to fill the boxes! But that last image is the one that will (I hope) haunt my dreams.
Changing the subject, David and I were in Traverse City today and visited Building 50, and as we strolled through the Mercado admiring the art, I recognized a big Margie Guyot painting at first sight! It had frogs and frog teapots and at least one florist’s frog, all on a bright tablecloth. I knew right away it was hers, thanks to your blog, Gerry. We both liked it a lot, too, so please tell her that.
Gerry
October 21, 2012
I will be absolutely sure to tell Margie that you and David liked her frogs!
(May you walk in peace through Bertha’s yard. She would be pleased.)
Dawn
October 21, 2012
Love “apple lift off” …and you’ve got me salivating over here…sounds just wonderful!
Gerry
October 21, 2012
It is. Wonderful.
Jen
October 21, 2012
yay! great news!
Gerry
October 22, 2012
Pass it on!
Heather
October 22, 2012
Beautiful fall photos, Gerry! And also lovely news. We don’t drink much cider, but when we do I want the good stuff, and now I know where to get it.
Gerry
October 22, 2012
We aim to please. Perhaps we can encourage you to drink more cider. (Thanks to Mrs. Uhdd I have chased down a parsnip cider soup recipe . . . )
uphilldowndale
October 22, 2012
Now, is your cider alcoholic cider? We are too far north in the UK for growing apples with sufficient surplus for cider. This year especially… I cut out a recipe this weekend for ‘parsnip and cider soup’ I went to the supermarket and bought my parsnips and forgot the cider. I shall go back today and I’ll think of your cider over the homogenised supermarket variety…
There is something about cider making that reaps nostalgia. I had a text message from by blog buddy Police Inspector Gadget, on his travels, he was off duty of course “Found amazing old farm selling cider, straight from the barn, ancient press and even older buildings. You should be here with your camera, you’d love it for the blog!’
Cider and blogging, its global, so is cussing machinery.
Gerry
October 22, 2012
The cider I bought is not alcoholic, but it could be. I wonder if there’s a cider-making workshop over at Wagbo. Hmmm. Maybe I will try parsnip and cider soup. I found a recipe that calls for bacon garnish and milk and yogurt as well as chicken stock and apple cider.
I look forward to the day you visit the ancient cider press.
WOL
October 22, 2012
What do they do with the leftover pulp? Seems like they could either get into the pig food business, or strain out the seeds and make apple butter. . . .?
Gerry
October 22, 2012
You have asked an excellent question. I will hunt up a worthy answer.
Karma
October 22, 2012
Mmmmm, real cider! You don’t see the unpasteurized stuff all that often. Once upon a time during my days working at a living history museum, they would get the horse-or-ox-drawn cider press working. Always smelled delicious.
Gerry
October 22, 2012
Now there’s an idea. We have some horses in the neighborhood who could use a little exercise followed by apple mash snacks. (I believe I may be said to live in a working history museum. Sort of.)
Nye
October 23, 2012
The real cider is delicious, we are fortunate to get some here also. The last image of you Fall leaves are beautiful.
Gerry
October 23, 2012
Thank you, Nye – I really enjoyed taking pictures of Bertha’s trees on a sunny afternoon.
Scott Thomas Photography
November 5, 2012
Been drinking our NY Apple Cider for the past month. So, so good! Cheers as we clink our virtual cider glasses together.
Gerry
November 5, 2012
Nice to have at least one excellent treat arrive in its season, isn’t it! Here’s to you, New York.