As the coastal winds cool and the leaves whirl in their autumn dance, the apple orchards of Massachusetts swell with life. Here, cradled between the rolling hills and the sea’s embrace, the apple harvest is not merely about the gathering of fruit—it’s a time-honored celebration, a gentle rhythm that mirrors the pulse of the earth itself.
Along the coast, where land and ocean meet, a rare harmony allows apples to flourish. The sea, ever a caretaker, tempers the extremes, shielding the trees from winter’s chill and summer’s fiercest heat. Salt-kissed breezes drift inland, guarding against frost when the apples are at their most delicate. Below the surface, centuries of ocean whispers enrich the soil with minerals, gifting the fruit with flavors as bold and resilient as the landscape. Here, it’s not just the earth but the ocean too that nurtures our apples, each one a testament to Massachusetts’ natural beauty.
Take the McIntosh, for instance. Cloaked in deep red with a kiss of green, it’s crisp yet soft, offering a tart bite that melts into sweetness as it lingers. Its tender flesh invites you to savor its simplicity, whether fresh from the orchard or cooked down into the perfect applesauce or pie. Then there’s the Cortland, that bright, streaked gem, slightly sweet and ever so mildly tart. A salad’s best companion, it refuses to brown once cut, its firm flesh a baker’s delight, whether in a savory dish or a tart bursting with flavor.
And we mustn’t forget the Honeycrisp, the modern darling of the orchard. Blush-red and kissed with honey-gold, it beckons with the promise of that first irresistible bite. Its balanced sweetness and tartness dance on the tongue, with a crunch that echoes the crispness of autumn itself. Perfect for a quick snack or a starring role in cider or baking, the Honeycrisp never fails to remind us of the joy hidden in the season’s gifts.
Here at Woodcrest, the apple harvest holds its own quiet magic. In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival. This sacred ritual grounds us in the moment, reminding us of the simple pleasures that autumn brings—the crisp air, the golden light, the sweet taste of fruit that’s been ripened by sea and soil alike. So, whether you’re filling baskets beneath an orchard’s canopy or savoring an apple on the quad, this harvest season calls us to pause, reflect, and delight in the gifts of autumn’s embrace.
Fun Fact! Did you know that Massachusetts is home to some of the oldest apple orchards in the country? The first apple orchard in North America was planted in 1625 by William Blackstone in what is now Boston, making the state’s apple-growing tradition nearly 400 years old!