Apple Fest

Every month we try to have some kind of social event at the library to celebrate the season and the birthdays of our staff and faculty. This month is my turn, and I thought about it for awhile before hitting on what seemed to be a good idea. I decided to have an apple fest - a time of tasting different varieties of apples and ciders and fruit breads.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the person who is doing October's event had already thought of that idea! But it was too late to change. I had already sent out the invitations. Perhaps she will hit on another idea.

I spent quite some time researching apples, especially types that I had never heard of, and ones that were labeled as new this year. I didn't stick with New York apples either even though I really like the taste of apples common to this area. When I have lived in other states, I tried to describe the flavor of a Spy or a Cortland apple. People couldn't even imagine what I was talking about. No wonder they don't do much with apples since the taste of what they can get in the supermarkets is not so appealing.

I selected five different apples - Zestar, Ginger Gold, Braeburn (from New Zealand), Pink Lady, and Jonagold. I cut each one into slices with my handy corer, and each person sampled. Of course, it helped that there was caramel to dip the slices in. Ginger Gold turned out to be the favorite. The honeycrisp cider was a close second. And it didn't take long for the cinnamon apple bread and the cranberry orange bread to disappear either.

After that, we played with the birthday card that was a Hoops and Yoyo talkie (or sing-ey) and chatted for a bit. Then it was back to business. I had a class to teach, circ desk needed assistance, and clients had questions at the ref desk. Still, I enjoyed the brief apple tasting venture. Someone suggested we try the idea with cheese and other such goodies. Maybe we will.