Lets see
Things have been crazy here, our winter was long, cold and wet and the trees are running behind. The cherries are just starting to produce and I have been battling birds to get them first. I need to go check on the big cherry tree I got permission to pick but haven't managed to find the time. I also got a line on another big cherry not too far away but can't find time to pick the one a half mile away so I don't know how I will find the time to do that one. Not long ago my wife decided we needed a retaining wall and fence and some other things came up which really cut into my fruit prep time so as usual I am way behind there. I almost have the new apple chopper together and did a video of the first successful test run a couple days ago but it still needs some reinforcement and a chute before it's ready to see apples. Fortunately the Apple Reaper is up and running very well, I even had the original AM radio converted to AM/FM/Aux, so I have something to listen to on the drives to the apples I also need to go check on the early apples, I hope to do that on my way home from work tomorrow. I checked the Bella Vistas a couple weeks ago and they look late, so I expect the transparents will be late as well. Plums are looking good but again, running late. The cherry flights have begun at the airport so there are a lot of 747s freighters coming and going loaded with cherries bound for Asia. I think they said the cherry harvest is expected to be near record high this year. Then there are the blueberries. I transplanted my blueberries so they weren't allowed to produce this year so I will have to make the trip to Tacoma and see how they are looking this year. The guy I work with who had the Asian pear and some apples and grapes and other stuff he let me pick has sold his house to a developer, so I lost those trees but hopefully can find some other pears. The blueberry park has some apples so maybe I can get a couple hundred extra pounds there. Damn that's a lot of typing but as I type I am getting excited over the fruit that is about to start rolling inShine0n wrote:juse wondering how the fruit season on the west coast is coming along?
Less rain usually means smaller sweeter apples, and I've found that brix doesn't tell the whole story. I've sort of adopted a loose attitude about it all. I figure when the apples start dropping it's time to start picking. I like to check the brix but a taste tells the story best. If it has a powderyness it usually isn't quite ready but once they start dropping I know I need to get them regardless. It helps to get to the point of knowing the specific trees and how they produce but in my opinion the longer they can stay on the tree the better. Of course you don't want to leave them so long you lose them, some of my apple trees will seem far from ready then BAM! one day they start dropping and they are gone in a week.Shine0n wrote:If I recall you saying you wait to see a brix of 12???
Now usually the apples start falling around Sept and Oct but they seem already high in sugars, do you suppose they will get better twards that time or should I be ready at the time the brix gets 12 or a bit higher?
That all depends on the apple. If you know the specific variety the website Orangepippin.com ( https://www.orangepippin.com/apples" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow ) can help gauge that. I know the trees I currently pick and how long they last, the transparents can last 2 weeks without losing too many but not longer, the Bella Vistas are good for 3 days, in 5 you lose quite a bit and in a week you will lose most. The Antiques are good keepers I've left them in the garage for as long as 6 months with no problems at all. Some apples actually benefit from sitting after picking others go bad fast. Usually 2 weeks is Ok but I do try to get them done as soon as possible after picking.Shine0n wrote:after picking how long can an apple sit without going bad? I wont be able to pick them all in a day or two so I'll have to let them sit foe a spell.
I know I've not been spending much time on here, life has been getting in the way but hopefully things will calm down in a few weeks but even though I'm busy life is pretty good here in the PNWShine0n wrote:Hope things are well in the pnw and hope to see you about the forum soon talking about apples and apples and more apples.
For me it is a pain to do on the pulp but Der Wo seems to think it's the best way to go. I think it's probably one of those things you have to try and see what you think is right for you. I know that's kind of a shitty answer but that's about all I can say.Shine0n wrote:Also, what is your take on fermenting on the pulp or fermenting just the pulp after pressing? I know it's alot of space taking stuff but will it be worth the effort? More flavor? Or a big pita.