Apple Cider - Happy Juice

The other day I ran into some old friends that I hadn't seen in quite a while. Once co-workers from a past life, I know how busy they are with demanding full-time careers, plus running a small farmstead outside of Corvallis, Oregon.  They've chosen this lifestyle because not only do they enjoy their work, but they also have a passion and joy for the science of turning raw food into preserved delicacies through experimentation and discovery.

All year long they're trying their hand at some new version of a vegetable pate, fruit preserve, or spicy chutney - everything from soft-fruit jams and jellies in the early summer to quince and pear pastes or butters in autumn.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have lovely plum wine bubbling away in the cellar right now, clarifying to a rich beautiful rosé.

Knowing this about my friends, I was intrigued and surprised when I heard that they had gone and planted a small orchard full of apple trees for the soul purpose of making apple cider (in it's various forms).

And these apples are not your run-of-the-mill commercial varieties, but true heirlooms with wonderful old world names like Liberty, Enterprise, Ashmeads Kernel, Golden Russet, Hewe's crab apple, Wickson's crab apple, Florina, Dabbinet, and Porter's Perfection.

This diversity is important, because the best ciders are blended using juice from several apple cultivars - apples not grown for eating, but for cider making. A truly complex and well balanced cider is a blending of four main types of heirloom apples which include sweets (high sugar), sharps (high acid), biittersweets (high sugar and tannin), and bittersharps (high tannins and acids).

So I think they have this covered pretty well with their initial planting and their plans to expand even further into the future by using these trees for grafting on to new rootstock and expanding the orchard into a high density trellis system.

Their orchard management is well thought out and the first vintage of cider (Autumn 2013) is underway with enough apples to be pressed yielding close to 50 gallons of cider (mostly the hard stuff with a little fresh juice to enjoy right now).

Now hard cider is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world today, and was one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the  USA from Colonial times until the start of Prohibition.  

For some unknown reason hard cider didn’t make the same come back that beer, wine and distilled beverages did after the repeal of Prohibition, until this last decade where it apparently is getting some attention.  One reason could be that unlike beer and grain- based alcohol, apple cider is just that, fermented juice pressed from apples and gluten free.

So, realizing that cider's time has finally come, a lot of experimentation is taking place among cider makers who are integrating hops (hoppy cider), barrel-aging (whiskey and gin), and producing dessert ciders akin to ice wines.

In the last decade several ciderworks have popped up around the Willamette Valley, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest, and there are some long established cider houses along the East Coast and in the Heartland of the US.

But if your in the Valley this weekend be sure to stop by Two Town's Ciderworks in Corvallis.  They'll be celebrating their 3 year anniversary this Saturday, October 4, serving their flagship, seasonal and limited release ciders, along with live music and local food. It'd be a great way to introduce yourself into the cider world, if you haven't already, and have a little fun too.

Also, the city of Portland boasts it’s own Bushwacker Cider Bar, with 7 varieties of cider on tab and a 100+ available in the bottle.  They have everything from run-of-the-mill cider for $2 a bottle to house made cider, artisan cider made with ginger, and ciders from England and beyond at $4-15 a bottle.  Best to try the sampler to find the one you really like first.

Given what's going on in the cider world today, I think my friends are really on to something with this artisanal craft cider making endeavor.  And I'm looking forward to them going prime time!

Lastly, for those really interest in the history of cider, check out The American Cider Book by Vrest Orton and Cider: Hard and Sweet by Ben Watson.

Stay thirsty my friends!  Evelyn

OK Jimmy, where'd you put those croissants............

Corvallis

I was thrilled the other day when I got an email from an old friend hoping to meet for lunch before she left town on vacation.  This meant, aside from seeing a long lost friend, a trip into Corvallis. 

Corvallis isn’t the easiest place to get to -  it’s right in the middle of the WV but nowhere near anywhere else.  Located from one to two hours from Portland, the Oregon Coast or Eugene, it is literally surrounded by farmland or forest on all sides.  So aside from it’s natural resources you might wonder what is so special about this town located in the middle of nowhere.  Well apparently a lot of people in the U.S. think the place is pretty special having been on the list of the10 best places to live for one reason or another by Money magazine, Country Home magazine, and Farmers Insurance to name a few.  These rankings confirm that Corvallis is one of the best, safest and most environmentally responsible cities in the U.S.

That being said, I met my friend for lunch at Big River Restaurant downtown on the riverfront.  A somewhat popular place with a delightful outdoor seating area (a must have during these summer days), a friendly wait staff, and great bread, although a bit pricey.  

Regardless we had a great lunch, got caught up with our lives, and enjoyed basking outside in the sunshine.  

Besides Big River, Corvallis really does have plenty of good places to eat, from pub grub to fine dinning.  Out the front door of the Rig River is the riverfront walk.  Take a stroll along the riverfront walk and then up and around to 2^nd Street and you'll find restaurants, bistros, pubs, and wine bars as well as quaint shops to browse.

After lunch I did take a stroll down the riverfront (official name – Riverfront Commemorative Park).  It was beautifully landscaped with both paved and grassy areas, views of the Willamette River, and a lots of places to seat and rest.  One of the most popular features is the decorative water fountain where the public is welcome to enjoy the water jets (mostly children although an adult might sneak in a toe occasionally). It's hard to beat the delightful sight and sound of water and laughing children on a sunny day.

I don’t want to forget to tell you about the vibrant farmers market which takes place on the riverfront every Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM, April 14-Nov. 17, and Wednesday, 9 AM to 1 PM, April 18-Nov. 21.  The market features locally grown produce, home-made preserves and honey, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, and home-town meat and poultry.  You will also be able to enjoy local performers and street musician performing weekly. 

In another corner of the city is the home of Oregon State University, number one public research university in the state and home to the OSU Beavers (go Beavs!).  The influence the university has on the community contributes to a mix of urban flair and small-town charm and provides a place for intellectual curiosity to thrive.

I haven’t yet begun to tell you about the wineries or the craft breweries thriving in this area (and there are many) or the charming Hansen Country Inn  located within the town, but out in the country.  But for now if your coming to Corvallis, here are some interesting things to do and places to go during you visit.  It’s always wise to call ahead if you wish to visit a winery or tasting room.

Happy traveling - bye for now.  E

Oregon State University, Oregon’s largest public research university and  home of the OSU Beavers NCAA Division I, Pac-12 Sports Conference.  As an aside OSU campus also has one of the most incredible collection of mature rhodendrum plants which is spectacular in the spring.

4 Spirits Distillery is a new craft distillery located in historic Adair Village, Oregon, and just 7 miles north of Corvallis on Highway 99W.  They specialize in superior hand crafted spirits, bottled with a unique Oregon flair.  Tasting room open.

Avery Park Rose Garden displays 1200 bushes, with 250 varieties represented. June is the most dramatic month, but most varieties bloom from May through October. Avery Park and the rose garden are open during daylight hours, and admission is free.

Belle Vallee Cellars, Tasting Room and Bistro located in downtown Corvallis right on the Riverfront Park.  They specialize in Pinot Noir, but also make a Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Gris and a really special 100% Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Port.

Corvallis Farmers’ Market locally grown produce, home-made preserves and honey, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, and home-town meat and poultry.  Local performers and street musicians entertain weekly.

Covered bridges   There are three historic covered bridges in the Corvallis/Benton County area, in addition to 50 scattered throughout Oregon. Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges in the West and one of the largest in the nation.

Nuthatch Cellars is a small Artisan winery specializing in Oregon and Washington red wine varietals.  Call for tasting room hours.

Tyee Wine Cellars specializing in Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Located on the Buchanan Family Century Farm.