Celebrate National Apple Month With Minnesota’s Best Orchards

Did you realize that October is National Apple Month? I’ve got to be honest; I didn’t have a clue. I would have guessed one of the summer months would have been the month we celebrate the fruity deliciousness that are apples.  

Ok, another question for you. Did you know that Minnesota has over 140 apple orchards? Again, something I didn’t know. I knew there were orchards in Minnesota, but I didn’t realize that there were that many. 

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We’re coming near the end of “Apple Season” in Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Grown website that says the season will run until early next month. Apples grown here are at their peak during the stretch from August to early November. You can extend the life of the apples you have by storing them in a cool, dark place; this should extend the juicy flavor of the apples you have. 

Minnesota Grown says that apples are more than just for the taste; they’re also business for the state too. Over 20 million pounds of apples are grown each year in Minnesota.  

If you’re wanting to take advantage of what’s left of the apple season and pick your own, here’s a tip from Minnesota Grown. The color of the apple doesn’t indicate how ripe the apple is; the best apples are firm and crisp. If you are going to pick your own, lift and twist the fruit to pull it free from the tree.  

Another important tip is to keep the stem on any picked fruit; this will help extend the life and help keep that fruit fresh.   

There are several varieties of apples grown here in Minnesota which include: First Kiss, SweeTango, Zestar, Honeycrisp, Honeygold, Snowsweet and Frostbite. There’s still time to enjoy the delicious flavor of Minnesota apples, so go ahead and plan your trip to one of the many orchards around the state.