CaliforniaApples

Everything you need to know about your favorite fruitWinter 2011

The Best Apples You’ll Find: JS Orchards in Sebastopol

With mouth-watering apples and a view that rivals Tuscany’s right in their backyard, Joe and Sheila Aujay’s quality of life is, most certainly, exactly as it should be. Their four-acre property stretches out over calm and peaceful Sebastopol. When they moved there two years ago they purchased a countryside home that came with an added bonus: a heritage apple orchard.

Taking hold of the opportunity they were given, Joe and Sheila kept the orchard alive and began producing apple juice, feeling that it would have been a shame to let such a special

place go to waste. Deciding on the name JS Orchards, Joe and Sheila put countless hours in to their orchard, and that strong work ethic has resulted in to an amazingly fresh and refreshing product.

While orchard upkeep and running their new business is hard work, both are happy and content with what they do. With their production consisting of half Roman Beauties, a quarter Red Delicious and a quarter Golden Delicious, the Aujay’s use a mixture of their produce and turn all their apples in to apple juice. Although not certified Organic, their orchard meets all the requirements and provides some of the most fresh (and most delicious) apple juice you will ever try.

“Having this orchard has been extremely gratifying; we love getting to see people enjoy a real

Your favorite way to eat an apple!

“My favorite way to eat apples is dipped in caramel.”

- Lauren Scheck, Nutrition Major

“I take an apple with me to school every day as a snack.”

- Aly Cole, Animal Science Major

“I like my apples sliced with cheddar cheese.”

- Stephanie Coffaney, GRC Major

“I love eating apples with peanut butter.”

- Stephanie Harris, Child Development Major

Places to buy anything apple in San Luis Obispo

Farmer’s Market

The Apple Farm

Avila Valley Barn

New Ways to Use Apples!

Homemade applesauce goes great with pork roast or pork chops!

Dried apples in homemade granola

Apple butter

Apples in soup

Apples in salad

Apple ricotta cheesecake

Apple flan

Apple omelette

Apple cider

Baked cinammon apples

Apple pie a la mode

New recipes for this winter!

Health facts about apples!

Your favorite way to eat an apple!

What you can find in this issue:

cont. on pg. 3

Gopher Glen Apple Farm

Will An Apple a Day Keep My Doctor Away?

While an apple a day may not always keep your doctor away, it sure will help! Apples have no fat, no cholesterol, and no sodium, making them an extremely healthy snack. “One apple, on average, contains more antioxidants than a large vitamin C dose of 1,500 mg” (nutralegacy.com). Recent findings have brought consumer’s attention to the fact that apples can help you ward off cancer. Apples are rich flavonoids, which help prevent prostate cancer. A study conducted in Strasbourg also found that apple consumption reduces the risk of colon cancer (buzzle.com). With the high content of nutrition so prevalent in apples, they make a fantastic snack and a great way to stay healthy!

product”. You can hear the pride radiating in Joe’s voice. He loves what he does and that passion shows in the apple juice the Aujay’s create. They press two tons of apples a year (which is about 1,000 quarts) and sell their juice at local Farmer’s Markets. Their juice is only available in the fall, and is in high demand at the two markets they attend each week. “The great thing about our juice is that it’s enjoyable to everyone. We feel that it’s a guaranteed sale with kids”.

The Aujay’s orchard, starting as only a hobby, has grown in to a full-fledged business. Their modest annual production and delectable product is a model for us all. Starting a business from scratch and having it flourish is the real American dream. Talking to Joe and Sheila reminded me that with hard work and dedication, it’s never to late to start something new.

JS Orchards is a business that the Aujay’s are, and should be, proud of. If you ever find yourself up in northern California, make sure to stop by your local Farmer’s Markets and grab as much of their juice as you can fit in to your car, and support a couple who take pride in what they do and deliver the freshest and most

cont. from pg. 1 refreshing good. Apple juice is a product that people of all ages will enjoy, and it doesn’t get much better than JS Orchards apple juice.

Elizabeth Layton - Contributor

Applesauce Cookies Recipe:

1 cup sugar1/2 cup shortening1 egg1 cup raisins (optional)1 cup applesauce2 & 1/4 cup flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon cloves1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*cream shortening and sugar, then add egg and combine. Sift together dry ingredients and add alternately with applesauce and raisins (or walnuts or any other nut). Dro p by spoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350* for 12-15 minutes. Fast, easy and really good.

Recipe Corner

Homemade applesauce:

Harvest season for your favorite apple

Empire Apples harvest: September

Fireside harvest: October

Fuji harvest: late October

Gala harvest: October

Geneva harvest: September - October

Golden Delicious harvest: mid September - late October

Granny harvest: late October

Gravenstein harvest: August - September

July Red harvest: late July

King Cole harvest: mid October

Lady harvest: early November

Red Delicious harvest: late September

Healthy to its core

-high in fiber- Diabetes management-Pectin in apples helps to remove harmful toxins- Breast Cancer prevention-can reduce your cholesterol- weight loss- Asthma help

Peel, core and cut up apples. Use granny smith or other tart, crisp apples. Put cut up apples into sauce pan with some cinnamon and sugar to taste and bring to low boil. Simmer until it looks like applesauce - this should take about 20 minutes or so. This tastes marvelous with a pork roast or pork chops, or simply enjoy by itself! It is a classic and traditional combination. This applesauce will be an instant hit with your family!