Autumn in Northern Michigan is such a beautiful time of year. The trees are in full color and the farm stands are loaded with the bounty of the harvest. It’s time for a ride through our lovely countryside and the orchards that are brimming with apples.

There’s nothing like an afternoon spent picking a bushel of apples and enjoying some fresh-pressed apple cider and doughnuts along the way.

Did you know?
Apples are the largest fruit crop grown in Michigan. There are over 8 million apples trees in commercial production throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. In 2005, Michigan produced 780 million pounds of apples!

Michigan is also the number one supplier of apple slices for commercial apple pies, and is a major producer of applesauce and apple cider.

The Guinness Book of World Records claims that the largest apple weighed 3 lbs. 2 oz., and it came from a tree in Caro, Michigan.

There are about 300 different varieties of apples in the U.S. Some of our favorites in Michigan are Honeycrisp, Johnagold, Northern Spy, Gala and McIntosh.

Apple trees were not native to North America, but early settlers brought apple seeds from Europe. Johnny Appleseed was well-known for saving and trading apple seeds and saplings to early pioneers as they traveled west. Because apples were easy to grow and they stored and dried well, they provided a much-needed winter food source to early settlers. They were used to make apple butter and cider, too.

Fresh apples float because their volume is 25% air.

Apples are a very healthy food! They are high in fiber, and loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants. They are low in calories, have no fat, cholesterol or sodium.

Find it!
From Manistee County to the Mackinac Bridge, you will find 66 farms that sell apples. To find a farm, visit http://www.LocalDifference.org, press the "Search Now" button in the "Find a Farm!" box, click on "apples", the county you're interested in, and then "Find It!"

Try it!
Select fresh apples that feel firm and don’t dent when pressed. Store them in the refrigerator to keep them crisp. They can stay fresh for about 6 weeks. To enjoy apples even longer, you can simply freeze apple slices in a plastic bag. To prevent browning, dissolve 1/2 tsp. of ascorbic acid power into 3 Tbsp. water and sprinkle over apples. Place in a freezer bag, leaving headspace. (If you’d like, you can also add 1/2 cup sugar.)

Fresh apples are a delicious treat all by themselves, but there are so many ways to enjoy them:

Slice apples and serve with cheese and crackers or dip slices in yogurt or caramel.

Add diced or shredded apples to pancakes, muffins, stuffing or rice dishes before cooking.

Add thinly sliced apples to make Grilled Cheddarwiches! Add diced apples to chicken or tuna salad, or add to garden salads along with walnuts and blue cheese.

Saute apples and serve alongside pork or as an accompaniment to a hearty breakfast.

To make the simplest dessert: Core apples, but don’t cut all the way through; fill with a mixture of butter, brown sugar and nuts and a dash of cinnamon. Place in a baking dish with a small amount of apple cider or water. Bake until soft, about 20 minutes or so, depending on the size and variety of apple.

Here are three scrumptious recipes to try: