We are deep into apple season and, as I've mentioned before, I am a cider guy -- an unpasteurized cider guy, to be specific. Each autumn I drive out to orchards that sell the delectable unprocessed libation, and yesterday I went to one of the best cider towns in the state: Stow.I'd been out there Columbus Day weekend and picked up a couple gallons of cider at Honeypot Hill, which was packed with visitors looking at farm animals, navigating a maze, sampling cider donuts and purchasing farm products. Their cider is good -- I'd had some of it for the past few years -- and if I remember they're charging $5.50 a gallon.
In mid-October I went up to Russell Orchards in Ipswich, which is a nice place, but the cider -- at $6.25 a jug -- was just mediocre (unlike last year). They do sell a nice assortment of fruit wines, and on fall weekends Russell often has a bluegrass band playing and a fireplace going.
Yesterday I hit up a pair of places across the street from each other on Great Road (Route 117) in Stow. Derby Orchards, which I often frequent because their farm store is usually open late in the season, was selling cider for $4.25 a gallon! (Only Market Basket, at $4, sells cider less expensively, but it's pasteurized, which changes the flavor.) It's good stuff, but even better is One Stack Farm.
I'd never been to One Stack before, and it's almost hidden at the corner of Great Road and Packard Road. I purchased the cider for $5 a gallon from an older gentleman inside an open garage. The beverage is sweet and smooth. I've often found that the smaller the operation -- at Phil's Apples off I-495 in Harvard you'll find Phil pressing the apples in front of you -- the better the cider.
Cheers.
39 comments:
Jim, I hope you tasted the cider doughnuts at Russell Orchards. They are the absolute best.
Thanks for the tips. We bought some unpasteurized cider in New Hampshire recently and certainly does make for some good spiced hot apple cider, with or without the rum.
No they arent Mary, Betty Ann's makes the best during this season
I usually try to avoid donuts of any kind, but I did have one warm cider donut at Honeypot Hill. It was quite good. I will try one -- just one -- at Russell Orchards next time I'm there.
I should have mentioned that I bought an apple pie ($14) at Russell and brought it to dinner with friends, and it was a big hit.
I am with Anon at 9:55 - Betty Ann's is the best. Besides, we should be supporting local businesses when it comes to doughnuts - especially in the this economy.
Keep up the good work Jimbo!
I wish I could afford $4 cider and $14 apple pies.
To "Anonymous" at 9:55PM and "Anonymous" at 9:05AM, do both of you ever expand your horizons and get out of 02128? I am mean, don't get me wrong, I love East Boston, but I don't think there is an apple orchard in Eastie…is there? And I could be wrong, but I don't think I am, Betty Anne's doesn't sell cider donuts. And I should know because my family has been GIVING BUSINESS to Betty Anne's for years! Every Sunday we buy at least a dozen donuts and every week we usually buy a dozen cookies. AND, I believe that Mary made sure that Michael Flaherty’s campaign used Betty Anne's on Primary Day 6 weeks ago for all of his East Boston volunteers. So how about that for “giving to local businesses!” My mother has an interesting saying…”Not every thought needs to find a voice.” And in this case, your thought couldn’t even find your name!
FWIW: There are two apple trees in my neighborhood in Eastie, across from Piers Park, along the hillside on Marginal Street; they're on abandoned land, but it's a nice area with flowers and a small community garden nearby. The apples are just falling onto the ground, the sidewalk, and into the street. They're small, and not very sweet, but they're apple trees, in Eastie!!! (You gotta love it.) Thanks Jim, nice post.(And no, I don't get out of 02128 very often..)!
While I generally agree with Megan's sentiment, I am compelled to add to Yvette's list. There are also at least 2 apple trees along the Greenway. And a peach tree on Brooks Street.
There was a great episode on Radio Boston a few weeks ago on apple orchards in MA. You can listen to it online here:
http://www.radioboston.org/shows/2009/09/21/apple-season-in-new-england/
Megan B:
Please don't take everything so personal. This thread is about donuts not US Policy towards Israel. I am unclear as to why you had to throw in the Michael Flaherty/Betty Ann's plug. I worked the polls that day and I have to say the Menino donuts were just as good. And not to nit pick, but the coffee from the Menino truck was hotter and they had bigger cups than the Flaherty coffee truck. My guess is Menino cleans up today again in both votes and pastry! Great blog Jimbo - glad to have this dialogue in the community!
To Megan: no need to get upset, I was merely pointing out that Mary ran for State Rep. so she use our local stores.
Yes, i too travel outside 02128 to buy things that I can't find here but only if its not available here in EB.
Again, I'm just pointing out double standards.
Jim, great article
hey I worked the polls too...and I never even saw the Flaherty Coffee truck! I would have loved a lemon square or a jelly donut from Betty Ann's. No such luck....I am guessing that Flaherty just doesn't care about East Boston as much? How many lemon cruellers do you think they had out on East Broadway? Plenty! I would also suspect that the coffee from the Menino truck was hotter because they bought local!!!! Hey Jimbo, how about we start a blog on the best campaign coffee truck teams? Love the articles - keep em coming.
And yet again to both "Anonymous" posts, you refuse to put your name. How funny.
To: Megan, whats me putting my name on this have to do with it? Mary ran for office and states she supports eastie but yet travels outside 02128 to buy pastries and doughnuts when we have all of that here. No need to get upset
"...travels outside 02128 to buy pastries and doughnuts when we have all of that here."
Come on. Is this really an argument that you want to make? I spend money inside East Boston and outside. I patronize local businesses frequently, but I am not obligated to do so. Neither is anyone else.
Thank you, Mr. Correale…my point well taken! Yes, there are all of those things in East Boston and many more. I 100% agree that we should definitely give back to local businesses. However, there is nothing wrong with taking a nice drive up to Ipswich (or wherever) with your family to pick apples at an orchard, try their cider donuts and pick pumpkins. Because again, last I checked, there isn’t an “orchard” in East Boston. I’ll give you that there are scattered apple and fruit trees, but there are no orchards. Have you ever taken your family to an orchard to do the traditional “apple picking” trip of the Autumn season? Try it…it’s a lot of fun! I even went as far as New York this year to get my apples. My gosh, that means I had to travel out the Mass Pike and through Connecticut…what was I thinking, traveling that far out of East Boston!
And to get back to my mother’s political run, her campaign used Carlo’s Catering for all of her gatherings (and we use them for all family functions)…again, another local business, who would have thought! Another “local” business that my family contributes to on Sunday mornings when we don’t go to Betty Anne’s, is Angela’s on Lexington Street. They have a GREAT breakfast menu! Let’s see, what other local businesses does my family contribute to…oh yes, NuTread Tire Company. The Berninger family is very well known there…we have such luck with cars! Oh, then there’s the Ruggiero – Mazzarella Memorial Home (an interesting local business to mention, but a local business nonetheless). My family has already done 4 funerals there and another pre-need is on account. All that business to Joe, even though my mother's cousins own (by Mr. Ruggiero's own estimation) one of the largest funeral homes on the north shore. But, we stayed in Eastie. Hmmm, what else…oh yes, Gill Oil Company! Shall I continue? You can preach all you want about “giving to local business” but don’t judge people for wanting to see what other communities have to offer. East Boston is not the “be all and end all” of local businesses.
Dear Jimbo:
I think Anon at 12:02 has a valid point. When you think of it, having the attitude that its ok to go out of Eastie to make purchases of things that are sold right here is no different (and no less painful to the local economy) than Mass residents going over the border to NH to save on sales tax. We have a Shaws, liquor stores, pharmacies, restaurants and coffee/donut shops that provide a needed and valuable addition to our community's local economy. While a lot of what is said on here appears to be tongue-n-cheek it shouldn't matter if we are talking about cider donuts or empanadas...if they sell them in Eastie, then we should do everything we can to buy local - period. Whoever Anon is at 12:02 - I say good for you for standing up to the attacks by Mary B. and Meaghan, whoever they are! And you should really think about getting more involved in the community if you already are not. We could use more leaders like you. Thanks Jimbo for letting me share my view on this important topic.
I certainly believe in supporting local businesses, though I think that means more than just within certain boundaries. Nearby and locally owned seem like the relevant criteria.
There are, however, a number of reasons why one may spend money at businesses elsewhere:
1. Availability: I wish there was a bookstore in East Boston, but there isn't. Ditto for a movie theater.
2. Quality: Some places do things better than other places. (If I lived within 50 miles I'd still come to Eastie to get slush.)
3. Variety: I don't want to eat the same thing every day or see the same things every day.
4. Convenience: If I am elsewhere I might not return home to buy a certain item.
5. Uniqueness: Some things just cannot be replicated.
Of course I try to support local eateries and other businesses -- and not just those owned by Italian Americans. (I've eaten at a number of the Latino-owned restaurants, and I'm a regular at Saigon Hut.) However, I've also had Salvadoran and Vietnamese food -- and Brazilian and Mexican and Italian and Tibetan and Indian and Ethiopian, etc. -- outside of the neighborhood.
One thing I won't do is shop at Wal-Mart. Maybe it is a small, symbolic step, but that corporation is somewhat responsible for killing thousands of local businesses throughout the US. I hope all who support buying local agree with me there.
Seriously? All of this about donuts?
Meghan, you should be aware of what Jim already knows. There are several folks that find great sport in picking fights here on the Hubster Blog. You have become one of their latest, and given your ardent responses in defense of your Mother's and family's purchasing practices, probably one of their most enjoyable targets.
To all of the anons - in the event that you really seriously are taking issue with the purchase of cider donuts outside of East Boston, sometimes people travel outside of East Boston and sometimes they get hungry. Get over it.
Happy Fall!
EG
P.S. My family has had a longstanding tradition of heading to AppleCrest in Hampton NH for all of our apple picking, cider, donuts etc. They have country stores and live entertainment. I apologize in advance for not getting my bluegrass music locally.
To Eastie Girl, again I don't think anyone is attacking anyone for leaving the zip code. By the way, shame on you Eastie Girl if your suggeting that we shouldn't support our local businesses first and foremost. Do you even buy doughnuts?
Jimbo, my point was to merely point out the hippocracy of people who run for office, then lose and go on to non support the ideas they they spoke of. What's wrong with me pointing that out?
Shame, Shame, shame on you all who didn't even look into asking Betty Ann's if they would make special orders for you. They have the best doughnuts of any zipcode.
Stay well Jim
I know the people at Betty Anns...I will call them in the morning and ask them if they will consider doing the cider doughnuts. This can't continue in this community. Next it will be people going to the cape for clam chowder when we have a Legal Seafood right at the airport.
Anonymous at 7:34 - there's nothing wrong with pointing out hipocrasy among local politics, except when it doesn't apply to the person you're talking about.
As to my patronage of local businesses, I am an ardent supporter AND a member of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Cider Doughnuts Update:
I called Betty Anns today. No answer. Shaws DOES indeed carry them - however, only as a seasonal item. Please check the bakery section. They will usually carry them through Thanksgiving. They could not confirm if the CDs were made on-site or shipped in from one of those "orchards" that everyone seems to be so attracted to.
As for Eastie Girl: is that the same East Boston Chamber of Commerce that held a Chamber event recently in downtown Boston when we have so many good places here in Eastie! Thanks for providing us with another example of hypocrisy in the neighborhood. Don't even get me started on them!
To Eastie Girl: I must say I'm a member of the Chamber and I was ashamed of what they pulled! Having an event outside of East Boston? Are you kidding me? The last post couldn't be more right, what hippocracy!
I must say from Mary B. to the Chamber there is so much hippocracy. Please Jimbo educate your bloggers on supporting our local economy. Thank you
How this topic went from cider to this trashing of one person doesn't make sense. I read the first post and the person simply mentioned that she visited the same place that the author visited. Too bad there werent as many comments on the Afghanistan subject or others.
How come your not printing any of my stuff Jimbo?
I'm trying to keep things more civil and on-topic. It's the last step before I change the configuration to allow only comments by those who log in. I've resisted, but it looks like I need to do that.
Good luck with that Jim, seeing as your fan base is 2 strong without the Anons!
I don't believe I have a "fan base" nor do I want one. I read all the comments, and I consider and sometimes respond to them, but the point of the blog is that I have an opinion on just about everything and I feel a need to put those opinions into words. I'm not concerned about who reads it or not and who comments or not.
"trying to keep things more civil"? Jimbo, I am a huge follower and regular contributor to the Hubster. No, I dont post my name because Blogs are often about anonymity. Nevertheless, I am careful not to be overly critical or personal when it comes to anyone in particular. But I do observe that you seem to apply a double standard, which is a legitimate criticism of this blog. True, you are the moderator and decide what gets posted. However, you do seem to pick and choose. There have been a number of posts on here by the likes of Joe Mason and his ilk that take some real personal shots at people. Yet you have no problem posting his crap. When I or others point out some valid critiques of others, they don't seem to make publication. Fair? Maybe, maybe not. I think some of the anons on here have been more or less making a point. Hopefully well taken.
I try my hardest not to censor comments, and I allow criticism of me. However, I think it's only right to be more careful with comments about other people.
There is, of course, libel law, but that is a high bar (knowing something is materially false and publishing it anyway -- what's called "actual malice." Mostly I don't think that I should allow personal information or threatening and insulting comments about non-public figures. It wouldn't be fair to let such stuff go through.
good point Jimbo. Not that I think Mason is at all credible, but he has injected himself into many discussions on your blog. And by my estimation he would qualify as a "public figure" under the standard applied in defamation cases. He regularly boasts about his role as LUC President and talks as if he is the authority on this community. What's fair is fair. He has taken plenty of shots at public figures - I think anyone "returning the favor" should have an equal say. Anything less makes us feel as if you are biased to either Joe - or even worse - what he has to say. The same could be said about others who post freely and opine on the goings on here in Eastie, politics, the Times, etc. If they don't want to get wet, then they should stay out of the pool!
Thank you.
I think you'll find that when certain individuals launch into wild diatribes I am more willing to allow responses that are equally ... fervent. But when people withdraw from posting we shouldn't comment on them any more, whether we agree or disagree with them.
What makes you think certain people have withdrawn from posting? Just because they have not posted in a while? That's fine - as long as they truly withdraw - and don't get the chance to simply slide in a comment here and there and then cry that everyone is picking on them when they show up at the picnic. My guess is that those who have gone to the lengths of telling you that they have withdrawn from posting are the ones who can dish it out but can't take it. I won't mention names because that is not important to the topic. But we shall see. I respect what you do here - and don't always agree with you. But I also don't always agree with everyone else either. That's what makes this a great Blog. Suggestion for improvement? A link to some guidelines for posting.
Sorry to post anon, but Jim, I think you are fair in what you let through and don't. It is too bad that there is so much negative post, but you see that everywhere. Seems to be the nature of our country's discourse these days. My theory is that is we were better connected with people in our real worlds and could talk honestly with them about how we feel, we wouldn't feel the need to be so nasty and hateful toward strangers on blogs. Unfortunately the technology only seems to perpetuate our inability to get to know and be honest with the people we see and live with face to face.
Do the buy only local and never leave Eastie people really get all their clothes at AJ Wright and Tellos?
Are you making fun of Tello's and AJ Wright?
Certainly not making fun of Tellos and AJ Wright. I've bought things at AJ Wright myself (I haven't been able to fit in anything at Tellos for at least 20 years). I just a lot of people wearing clothes that look like they are from somewhere else and I'm wondering where the people who insist that Jim buy cider donuts in Eastie get their clothes...
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