To many Michigan families, it’s not truly fall until they make their first trip to the apple orchard. One of the biggest seasonal traditions in the state, people take entire days to spend at their favorite location grabbing cider, doughnuts and of course apples.
None of this should be a surprise to Michiganders, only one state produces more apples than we do. Apples are a huge deal here.
In fact, Michigan's apple industry contributes over $700 million every year to the state's economy.
We’re now nearing the end of the season, and within mere weeks orchards are going to begin packing up until next year. But how have the crops fared this year?
Nikki Rothwell is the coordinator for the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center with Michigan State University. She said that this summer’s hot and dry climate caused the apples to ripen nearly all at once instead of different varieties staggering themselves throughout the season. This hasn’t prevented the crops from thriving, though.
"Sometimes when you get really hot things don't look as good, but I would say the fruit quality is great," Rothwell said. "The color is terrific. We had really nice cool nights and sunny days that really helped color up the fruit."
Some farms saw patches of bitter pit appear, but Rothwell said the brown spot causing disorder isn’t a huge issue overall as quality has held strong.
Michigan has seen the apple picking season stretch into November in past years. According to Rothwell, this shouldn’t be the case this year due to the lack of staggering in variety ripening. She encourages everyone to attempt to make their way out to a u-pick farm or even just a farmers market or roadside stand to try some of this season’s pickings before they’re gone.
"We have a lot of u-picks in southeast Michigan and some of those might be winding down, but apples are still available," said Rothwell. "And I really highly recommend it. Fruit seems so juicy to me this year. We've had sugar levels, so fruit's been tasting great."
Looking to find a nearby orchard or somewhere new to visit? The map below details includes nearly 100 of Michigan’s orchards and cider mills that are in operation this season.
Fun Apple Facts:
- The only native North American apple is the crabapple. The apples we know and enjoy today are thought to have been originally brought in from Central Asia.
- People have been eating apples since at least 6500 B.C.
- Apples are known to protect against cancer and type 2 diabetes.
- There are almost 15 million commercially used apple trees in Michigan alone.
- Over 50% of Michigan's commercial apple crops go into production to create apple-based products.
- It takes approximately 36 apples to create 1 gallon of cider.
- It takes an apple tree 4+ years to bear its first apple.
