How to Celebrate National Apple Day on 21st October

As the crisp autumn air rolls in, and the trees become laden with the vibrant colours of harvest, 21st October marks National Apple Day in the UK. 

This beloved celebration, introduced in 1990 by Common Ground, highlights the diversity of British apples and the importance of orchards in our landscape and culture. 

Whether you’re an apple enthusiast or just looking for a way to enjoy this delightful fruit, here are some ways to celebrate National Apple Day.

1. Visit an Orchard

There’s no better way to appreciate apples than by visiting a local orchard. Across the UK, many orchards open their doors to the public for apple-picking experiences. Wander through rows of apple trees, breathe in the fresh autumn air, and handpick your favourite varieties. This is not only a fun day out but also a fantastic way to support local farmers and experience the full variety of British apples. From the classic Bramley to lesser-known heritage varieties, there’s something for everyone.

2. Host an Apple Tasting Party

Apples come in an incredible range of flavours, textures, and colours. Why not invite friends and family over for an apple-tasting party? Gather different varieties from your local market or farm shop – perhaps a Cox's Orange Pippin, Egremont Russet, or a crisp Granny Smith. You can cut them into slices and taste the subtle differences in sweetness, tartness, and texture. Pair them with cheeses, honey, or even apple-based beverages like cider for an extra treat!

3. Make Homemade Apple Treats

Apples are one of the most versatile fruits in the kitchen. Celebrate National Apple Day by trying your hand at making classic apple recipes. A warm apple crumble is a British favourite, or for something a little different, try baking apple and cinnamon scones or a rich apple tarte Tatin. For those feeling adventurous, you could even try making your own apple cider or chutney.

4. Get Crafty with Apples

For those with children, National Apple Day can be a fun and creative way to engage in some autumn-themed crafts. Carving apples, making apple prints, or even creating decorative apple garlands are simple, enjoyable activities that can involve the whole family. You could also try making dried apple rings for a healthy snack or even as ornaments for a festive feel later in the year.

5. Learn About the Apple’s History

Apples have a long and rich history, and National Apple Day is a perfect opportunity to learn more about this fascinating fruit. The UK has a proud heritage of apple cultivation, with some varieties dating back hundreds of years. Visit a local apple festival, attend talks about apple-growing traditions, or check out your local library for books on British apple varieties and orchard conservation. If you're interested in sustainability, this is also an excellent time to reflect on how supporting local produce and traditional apple varieties contributes to biodiversity and reduces food miles.

6. Support Local Apple Farmers

Buying apples from local farmers' markets, farm shops, or directly from orchards is a great way to celebrate the day. Many independent growers specialise in heritage varieties that you won’t find in supermarkets, allowing you to support smaller businesses and enjoy unique flavours. Additionally, purchasing locally helps reduce your carbon footprint and fosters a stronger connection with the seasons and your local environment.

7. Enjoy an Apple Walk

Another wonderful way to celebrate National Apple Day is by taking an apple walk. Some orchards and gardens host guided tours where you can learn more about different apple varieties, the process of growing them, and the importance of orchard conservation. For a more leisurely option, why not take a stroll through your local countryside, keeping an eye out for wild apple trees and enjoying the autumn colours?

8. Join a Local Apple Day Event

Many communities across the UK organise Apple Day events filled with activities such as apple pressing, cider tasting, and apple-related games for children. These events celebrate the cultural significance of apples and often include local music, food stalls, and even competitions like the largest apple or longest apple peel. Check your local listings to see if any events are happening near you – it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the day with your community.

National Apple Day is not just about celebrating a fruit; it’s about recognising the deep connection between apples, our environment, and our heritage. Whether you’re tasting new varieties, baking apple-inspired treats, or enjoying a day in the orchard, there are so many ways to immerse yourself in the spirit of this day. So, on 21st October, embrace the beauty of autumn, savour the flavours of the season, and celebrate the humble apple in all its glory!

But there's more! Our very good friends over at Bonne Maman have some ideas of their own on how to celebrate National Apple Day and we are pleased to be able to share them here:-

Celebrate one of nature's most versatile and delicious fruits on the 21st of October. Taking place in apple harvest season, this day pays tribute to the rich heritage and diversity of apple varieties grown across the nation. 

Bonne Maman has a trio of apple-inspired treats that can satisfy the autumnal cravings on National Apple Day - Caramelised Apple Spread, Apple and Caramel Mousse as well as the new look Caramelised Apple Yoghurt.

Caramelised Apple Spread

 Simply made with 80% apple plus fresh butter and absolutely no palm oil, this award-winning delicious spread is rich and buttery in texture and contains flavours that fit perfectly with the autumnal celebration of Apple Day. Simply layer a generous serving on toasted fingers of brioche or spread over warm crumpets for a delicious mid-day treat. Available from most major supermarkets at £2.90 for 275g jar.

Apple and Caramel Mousse

A mouth-watering dessert that can be enjoyed every day, the Apple and Caramel Mousse contains generous pieces of apple that are delicately mixed with a light vanilla mousse and topped with a smooth caramel crème, simply made with care as you would at home. Perfectly combining the warmth and comfort of autumn's best flavours in every spoonful, it is available from Waitrose stores or from Ocado.

Caramelised Apple Yoghurt

 Presented in new look, widely recyclable packaging, Caramelised Apple Yoghurt is made with juicy, ripe fruit pieces simply mixed with thick and creamy natural yoghurt. With 2 out of 5 people saying a luxury yoghurt with real fruit is more appealing that ice cream*, it is perfect as a cosy, Autumnal alternative. Available in Waitrose stores rrp £3.20

Sunshine and Showers is the Ideal Combination of Sun and Rain for the Perfect Apple Harvest at Thatchers Cider

For the next several months the orchard team at Thatchers Cider will be working very hard, harvesting the apples for pressing into their beautiful ciders down at Myrtle Farm.

The mix of abundant sun and rain throughout Spring and Summer has been really beneficial to the apple trees. 

The fruit is looking healthy and plentiful, containing just the right balance of acidity and sweetness to press into the perfect cider.

As always, amongst the first apples to come into the mill are their deliciously rosy Katy apples.

Chris Muntz Torres, their farm manager, who looks after their 500 acres of apple trees in and around Myrtle Farm, says, “The good weather in Spring meant our apples got off to a good start with an effective pollination thanks to our amazing bees. In fact, our Katy apples have developed so well we've been harvesting them a few days earlier than in previous years.

“After Katy, towards the end of September, we'll begin to see the early bittersweet apples ripening, such as Somerset Redstreak, Gilly and Hastings. They'll benefit from the sunshine and warmth we're now experiencing, cider apples love a mild autumn to help them ripen slowly and develop their unique flavours."

He went on to say: “With the sun ripening the apples and helping boost the fruit's natural sugar levels, the recent rain has also been feeding the trees and giving them much needed nourishment. Importantly, the warmth of the sun helps develop the tannins in our bittersweet varieties, giving depth and body to our ciders.”

In fact it's been a pretty near-perfect year for the apples. Apple trees always need a spell of cold weather to break their dormancy over the wintertime, and at the beginning of the year we had sufficient low temperatures to reset growth and wake up the trees. This was followed by a period of warmer weather and plenty of moisture in the deep, rich Somerset soil to allow the trees to do their very important work. 

Chris continues, “At Myrtle Farm the signs are really good for a bumper harvest this year. That's both in terms of quantity, and just as importantly, quality, meaning the very best, tastiest apples in our ciders.”   

Thatchers has apple orchards throughout the West Country of England. Here apples are grown for their range of Somerset ciders. 

Thatchers are one of the few cider makers to have a regular orchard planting programme, allowing them to meet the increasing demand for their ciders, as well as working with apple growers throughout the entire region who provide specific apple varieties under long-term partnerships.

One of the important things they look at when planting new trees is the timing of harvest, to make sure that the arrival of apples is spread out throughout the season.

“We press our apples as soon as they arrive at the farm to capture them at their freshest. So having different varieties that ripen at different times allows us to have a continued supply of fruit from August through to November,” he concluded.

With the weather conditions in Somerset providing a perfect climate for apple growing, it's not surprising that the county has become the home of cider making, with Thatchers seeing record sales to help it become the UK's fastest growing cider maker.

https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk