It’s Irish Apple Time! 

Ever since Eve was tempted to eat the apple by the serpent in the Garden of Eden,  this seasonal autumn fruit has been the downfall of many a human! What’s not to like about the crunchy crispness and fresh taste of a naturally produced Irish apple? September is the season when our homegrown apples come into the market. Growers have worked hard all year, pruning and caring for trees and protecting the delicate blossoms of spring,  that brings forth fruit in autumn. Their work is now done, as the apple harvest comes to fruition.

long meadow cider, Armagh

Long Meadow Cider is an award-winning Bramley apple producer located in the orchard county of Armagh.

This is a third-generational family business. At Long Meadow Cider it’s all about the family and the Bramley Apple. While the McKeever family have focused on Bramley Apple production, each generation has introduced innovation in the production process and introduced new varieties and different planting processes. Long Meadow Cider farm is located on the banks of the Upper Bann River, the orchard plantation benefits from the mineral and silt deposits from the Bann when it’s in flood. This mix of location and care and attention has resulted in a fabulous range of products for you to enjoy!

The McKeever family at Long Meadow have produced quality apples in County Armagh for generations. After harvest, the apples are stored in state-of-the-art refrigerated storage facilities and supplied to the market as required.

From these apples, the family produce a range of top-quality products which include, juice, cider and apple cider vinegar, a must-have for every kitchen cupboard.

You can visit the home of Long Meadow Cider with their dedicated visitor experience. Here, a member of the McKeever family will guide you around the orchards, giving you a history of this family business. You’ll also visit the Apple Cider Vinegar room, learning about the vast health qualities of this amazing product before having a look at their cold storage facilities. Round off this experience with a cooking demo of the famous regional speciality – soda farl bread along with a tasting of the range of juices and ciders.

Discover more about Long Meadow Cider > 

The Apple Farm, Tipperary

The Apple Farm in Cahir, Co. Tipperary is in the hands of second-generation grower Cornelius Traas. He grows a range of apple varieties from which he makes fresh juices, cider vinegar and cider on site. The shop on-site at the farm stocks all these products plus some other artisan specialities, and of course, this time of year, lots of fresh apples picked in the orchards.

No less than twelve different sorts of apples are grown here. The early season starts with James Grieve and Katya, followed by Delba Estivale. As October kicks in, you’ll find unusual varieties like Alkmene and Cevaal alongside more familiar Cox’s Orange Pippins. Golden Delicious, Elstar and Jonagored also make an appearance later in the season, and all the while you can get the plump, knobbly Bramley’s Seedling, the famous cooking apple.

Bramley’s have a sharp, citrus and juicy flesh which cooks to a soft puree, making them ideal for inclusion in a typical Irish Apple Tart encased in buttery pastry, or some fabulous sauce to go with a crackly crisp joint of Roast Free Range Pork.

The Apple Farm also offers a caravan and camping Park with top-class facilities and very spacious grounds. The area is well located for sightseeing throughout the region, close to St Patrick’s Well, Cahir Castle and many other attractions here. The campsite caters for up to about sixty people per night with the use of the newly-laid full-size tennis court included in the price.

Also included are hot showers (for as long as you like), hot water, campers kitchen (with freezer and fridge) and use of the hardstands.

Discover more about The Apple Farm Here >

armagh cider company, armagh 

Armagh Cider Company is owned and operated by Helen and Philip Troughton. The Troughtons have been growing apples in Co Armagh for 5 generations since 1898. The previous generations of the family business concentrated on the supply of cooking apples to the retail/consumer trade and the supply of apples to a large commercial cider manufacturing company.

Helen and Philip spotted a gap in the market for producing quality hand-crafted cider, pure & natural apple juice and cider vinegar. The terroir of the orchard county of Armagh is ideally suited for apple growing and it was the only traditional apple growing region in the UK that did not have a home-based cider-producing industry. The Troughtons have led the way to bring craft cider production to Co Armagh.

The first craft cider from the Armagh Cider Company was born ‘Carsons Cider’. Launched on the market in January 2006 this new value-added craft cider enterprise evolved into a range of bespoke ciders, natural non-alcoholic apple juice and cider vinegar.

Following on from the success of the juice and cider ranges, the Troughton family have launched a new suite of award-winning lemonades and tonics under the name “Troughtons Premium” and using spring water from the farm, have created a new brand of soft drinks which are now distributed throughout Ireland.

Discover more about Armagh Cider Company >

Recipe Suggestions for the weekend:

Apple Tarte Tatin

This luscious Apple Tarte Tatin (an upside-down pastry in which the fruit are caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked) topped with whipped mascarpone mixed with vanilla and icing sugar and sprinkled with almonds! Mouthwatering stuff.

Definitely one to try this weekend we reckon.

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Foraging Fun!

Here’s a recipe from Brooklodge and Maccreddin Village that marries two wild members of the Rosacea family together; The Wild Crab and The Wild Rosehip. We love recipes like this and it’s the perfect time to give it a go! Not only will it get you out and about to gather your rosehips it also means you’ll have a gorgeous jelly to accompany tasty meats and cheeses in the run-up to Christmas! NB- Always ask a professional if you are unsure of what you are picking before you eat it!

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