Dave Smith > wrote in
m:

> Cindy Fuller wrote:
>> I live in Washington, apple capital of the US. One would
>> think that real sweet apple cider would be readily
>> available in the fall. WRONG!!! Last night I wanted to
>> braise pork chops, so I stopped at the local grocery to
>> get some cider. The only item the store carried that was
>> remotely close to cider was "Simply Apple" apple juice.
>> The chops came out fine, but it is a befuddlement to me.
>> Perhaps it's all the orchard owners here who insist on
>> growing red delicious apples (which, in my opinion, are
>> seriously overrated). My relatives and friends in the
>> orchard business in NY would be appalled.
>
> I would certainly agree that Delicious is a misnomer for
> that particular type of apple. I never did like them as
> much as other types, and they are useless for cooking. As
> for cider, it is usually made with apples that are a little
> more tart, and usually from apples that have fallen on the
> ground. Apple farmers I know gather the fallen apples for
> pressing. The local apple harvest is just starting, and I
> have not seen any fresh local cider yet.

uh, no. it is illegal to use 'drops' (fallen apples) for cider
in the US. it has been illegal for at least 4 years now. once
the apples fall, the orchard is not allowed to use them for
any purpose, except maybe animal feed (i get huge bags of
drops free from a local orchard because he can't sell them. he
thinks i feed them to my goats...)
the theory is that drops may have salmonella from bird
droppings. anyone with half a brain would realize they aren't
any more likely to have droppings on them than the apples
still on the trees, *and* regulations already require apples
to be pressed be washed in a bleach solution, but, government
loves to regulate, so no drops allowed for human consumption.
there *is* one bright spot in my state however. there is a
gentleman who makes apple vodka, & *he* has special
dispensation to use drops, as alcohol kills salmonella.
unfortunately he has limited production capacity, so many
orchards are going belly-up from the huge waste of the fallen
apples...


lee <i use the drops for cider. i use it both fresh &
fermented. i don't care what the law says. i'm resposible for
my own health>
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