Apple Houses

I grew up in Wilkes County, North Carolina, noted for things like the birth of NASCAR, moonshine, the filming of Thunder Road, the Legend of Tom Dooley, and Brushy Mountain apples. Each year, I seem to forget how much better fresh apples are than those stored for a length of time. And, for the last few years, I've made it a habit to go by the Brushies to get some apples when I'm anywhere in the area.

Apple houses are extensions of orchards. I've found my favorite ones to be reliable, honest, knowledgeable, extremely helpful, friendly, and reasonably priced. They not only have apples, although that's their main product, but also other produce like, honey, jams and jellies, fresh apple cider, etc. I think it's worth the trip, and the apples from any of them are great. If you don't live where it's practical to get to the Brushies, maybe you can find an apple house near where you live. After all, John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) spread apples across the country.

If you're looking for an apple that cooks up, like for applesauce or apple butter, choose varieties like Roma, Jonathans, Winesap, MacIntosh, Gayla, Heirloom, or Cortland. For pies or dishes where you want the apple to hold its shape, apples, such as Red Delicious or Golden Delicious, are usually good. To just have to eat, choose what you like best. I like Gayla, Fuji, Red Delicious, or Golden Delicious. If you go to Deal's, the staff there can give you even more information.

Many of the apple houses have different varieties coming in during most of the three main seasons. Two years ago, I bought several boxes and brought them to the coastal plain to give friends. One church member said the Gaylas were the best apple he'd ever tasted. He'd had Gaylas before but never fresh from the orchard. It does make a difference.

In the Brushy Mountains

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