Guest Blogger Jim Parker fondly referred to as “Michigan’s #1 Apple Fan” shares his favorite heirloom apple varieties.
Seek, Support, Savor and Share
To all you Michigan apple and cider lovers out there just like me – have you ever eaten an apple that was the favorite of George Washington – a Newton Pippin? How about an apple that was the favorite of Thomas Jefferson – a Spitzenburg? Have you ever heard of a Snow apple, my favorite, or a Tolman Sweet, Grimes Golden or Twenty Once? If you don’t know already, these apples are known as heirloom or antique apples. As you can see these apples date back to our country’s founders, and fortunately for us in our great state there are still many places we can seek them out, support their growers, savor their crisp, delicious flavor and share the apples – plus the fun we had going and getting them with others.
Here’s more great news about antique apples! The VanHoosen Farm and Museum, while having some apple trees before, has now put in an heirloom apple orchard on their property. Five different varieties are growing there. Just like the Michigan Cider Guild is working together to preserve the history of cider making in our state and trying to get Apple Cider designated as the official state drink of Michigan, VanHoosen Farm in Rochester Hills has planted those antique apple trees to help preserve their history. Planted in 2005 it shouldn’t be long before they bear fruit. I played a small part in helping Patrick McKay the Supervisor of Interpretive Services at the museum with the project. I can’t wait to see and taste their historic fruit. Even better yet, other schools in the Oakland Township area have planted antique apple trees as well.
Well, you ask what is a Spitzenburg, a Newton Pippin, a Snow, Tolman Sweet, Grimes Golden or Twenty Once-and where can I go and get them?
A Spitzenburg is an apple that dates back to 1790, originated in New York. It is firm, aromatic, unexcelled in flavor and quality.
A Newton Pippin is not a very good looking apple but is of high quality for desserts. It dates back to the early 1700s on Long Island.
A Snow, again my absolute favorite, was brought to America by French settlers in 1730. From years of personal experience and sheer enjoyment it’s a small apple bursting with sweetness and juice, I’ve got more than one shirt wet biting into my first Snow apple in the fall. It’s also great for children’s lunches; I think better then a cookie or a candy bar for them.
A Tolman Sweet is a New England apple from 1822 with yellow white skin with a blush of red. Medium sized, juicy and sweet also.
A Grimes Golden originated in West Virginia and sold to traders in 1804. It is an apple with medium to large size, spicy in flavor and great for applesauce.
Twenty Once apples were introduced in 1840 and can be of enormous size-a premier pie apple.
I hope by now you’re excited and ready to go get them. If you don’t already have one pick up a Michigan map and get the family ready for some fun filled, memorable drives. To go and get these locally grown delectable apples I will give you some suggestions. Beginning with a location of DeWitt, Michigan simply just because it’s where the Michigan Apple Committee office is located, I will offer you N, S, E and W trips for your family apple seeking fun. I strongly recommend that before each trip you call ahead to find out when the orchard is open and when the apples are available.
Go north of DeWitt and a little east to Eastman’s Orchard in Wheeler. (989-842-5576). I believe it’s the largest orchard in Michigan growing antique apples. Cindy Ward, who along with her husband Tim, owns the orchard, said they have about 600 varieties of apples which they also take to the Midland Farmers Market. It is here that you can get the Grimes Golden apple that is so good for applesauce.
Also north and a little further east is Moore Orchard in Midland. (989-832-3560). Owner Terry Moore who takes care of the orchard told me they have 100 varieties including many antique ones. It is here that you can find the Twenty Once apple that can be so large it wouldn’t take too many of them to make one of your great pies. My mom used to make her apple pies using Wolf River apples, another heirloom apple from Wisconsin dating back to 1875. She used to make them on cookie sheets. That’s the only way they would last a while between my two brothers and I. Terry, by the way, was very kind to me with words of support and history in helping put this article together.
Now I will take you all the way north to the top of the Lower Peninsula, Northport and Kilcherman’s Farm or Christmas Cove, (231-386-5637). Why three trips north? It’s because I feel and know again from firsthand experience that all three are worth the drives because all have such a great variety of antique apples for you to learn about, purchase and enjoy. It’s at John and Phyllis Kilcherman’s Farm that you can find the Tolman Sweet apple plus many, many more-about 150. It’s neat also because in their apple barn they have tables set up with apples on display to ask about and sample.
Now let’s go west to H&W Farms in Belding (616-691-8802) which is close to Grand Rapids. Sheila Wright from H&W told me they don’t have large quantities of antique apples but I know from experience that H&W is a great place to get the fabled Spitzenburg apple. They also have an apple called Sheepnose-an apple I’ve never tried myself. You might want to ask about it and try it. It sounds interesting to me. Another fun thing to find out about is the Kent Harvest Trails Tour that takes place every fall in the Grand Rapids area. It usually takes place late September thru October, this could be some added pleasure to your antique apple seeking trip.
Now head east to the city of Linden which is close to Flint (810-735-7676). It is in Linden where you can find Mueller’s Orchard. It is also at Mueller’s where I’m still lucky enough to be able to get my Snow apples. This is an apple I always have to get a lot of because I have many people, besides my sister Dru, who want me to get those wonderful, Snows for them. Besides growing Snow apples Charles and Wendy Mueller from Mueller’s also do something very special each fall. They host a car showcase supporting Cystic Fibrosis. It’s held the third weekend in September. What a wonderful thing they do. This will allow you the opportunity to get your Snow apples and to help others.
Now we’re going to go south to the city of Manchester and Alber Orchard (734-428-9310). Manchester is very close to the Ohio border and those dreaded Buckeyes, so be careful you Spartan and Wolverine fans. (That’s just some good natured football fun). In talking to Mike Bossary from Alber he told me if you look on their website Alberorchard.com you will be delightfully happy to find they offer many, many antique apple varieties. One of them is the Newton Pippin-George Washington’s favorite. They also make cider from an antique cider press that dates back to 1890, which I know once more from firsthand experience will surely delight your taste buds.
I hope you’re ready for sure now to get these locally grown apples, cider and whatever else may appeal to you when you go on these delightful, tummy filling and history experiencing trips. In talking to my daughter Jennifer about this article, she shared with me something I would now like to share with you. “By supporting Michigan grown products people are not just helping the Michigan economy, they are also helping the environment – something we all should be thinking about these days. Locally grown products travel less on airplanes or trucks and that means less greenhouse gas emissions are put into the atmosphere.” Think about it – everyone wins. We have sought out and supported the apple growers by our purchase of locally grown crisp and delicious Michigan apples. We have also helped the environment, saved gas and surely received lasting memories to savor and share.
Jim Parker
“Michigan’s #1 Apple Fan”