This coming Sunday, wonderful opportunity to taste dozens of varieties, hear presentations on fruit related subjects (I will be co-presenting “Tree crops-Beyond Apples”), get unknown apples identified, and hobnob with other fruit geeks. Anyone else going?
http://www.mofga.org/Events/GreatMaineAppleDay/tabid/294/Default.aspx
looks like a great time…wish I could make it, but a 1350 mile drive would be a little much…
When I searched " apple tastings’ I found lots of them in many parts of the country. Could be one in your area
I’d love to come, but it’s kind of like Jeremy pointed out…4700 miles is too far to drive. I’d especially like to hear your presentation Jesse, as apples are by far the dominant crop in my neck of the woods, but I think there is potential for much else.
Sorry, no pics, but a good time had by all the hundred-plus folks who attended.
Many dozens of apples for sampling Frostbite was a standout for me, also fun to try a number of cider apples and others. I got to try a true Milo Gibson and in comparison to the tree I found it was different, so I am left wondering what I’ve got.
The local chapter of the Chestnut Foundation was offering up roasted American chestnuts which were a real treat.
Also traded for some Rocky Ground hard cider, fantastic, truly artisanal stuff made from a percentage of foraged wild apples. You won’t find it anywhere but Maine.
Jesse,
What did the other Milo Gibson taste like? Everything I read say it’s very sweet. You said you was mildly sweet.
Real one is sweet with a noticeable anise flavor. Mine was more acidic, more in the russet catagory, though not as acidic as some russet like Ashmead’s is now.
Starting soon, as I write: For this year’s Great Maine Apple Day (October 18), starting at 1 pm (EST), MOFGA is holding a virtual fruit exploring event. John Bunker, Todd Little-Siebold, and Laura Sieger will present a session on the “tricks of the trade” of fruit exploring. That will be followed by a panel of Aaron Parker, Jesse Stevens, Matt Kaminsky, Eliza Greenman, and William Mullan about their fruit exploring experiences.
For more information and links, see https://mofga.org/MOFGA-Events/great-maine-apple-day-2020
Sounds like fun!
Great opportunity … but I can’t make it.
These webinars will be recorded.
I hope so, but I can’t even find the event now. When I read that the event was being recorded, I headed up to the orchard instead of listening.
The MOFGA link found in my first post is working again, and it will send you to the two webinars.
This is wonderful information! Thank you so much for sharing. I plan on trying a bit of sleuthing up in the San Juan islands here in Washington state before long. I encourage other apple fanatics to give a watch.
We have a Rochester Peach. Quite a few years ago, I got a phone call from someone living on a San Juan island who told me the Rochester once dominated the peach orchards there, but they were all gone. I only have his word for it, but it might be a tree to sleuth for if you are doing more than apples.
We bought our one Rochester peach 15 or so years ago from Miller’s (located near Rochester, NY), but when the nursery was bought out by Stark Bros., the Rochester was no longer offered. I couldn’t help him, since he wasn’t a grafter, and he wanted a dozen trees or more. I’ve often wondered if he found a source or not.
I’d be happy to watch for it. I hadn’t heard of it before. I see that the Rochester peach is big in the UK though. I checked with Fruitwood nursery, a good source for PNW scionwood but came up empty.
I am really looking forward to learning more about the island trees, when they were planted, etc.
Wish I knew. We could try to make it up there.
