Few things say ‘fall’ quite like a trip to an apple orchard. From the crisp autumn air to the tasty seasonal treats, a visit to Nystrom Orchard is likely to be an experience that you look forward to year after year. Nystrom Orchard is proud to be family-owned and operated for four generations!
Keep reading to discover all about this amazing Minnesota apple orchard!
The Apples
As for the apples, come and pick your own or pick up a bag to take home; from Sweet Tangos to Connell Reds, Nystrom Orchard grows around 15 varieties, perfect for cooking, freezing, saucing, and, of course, eating!
Apples are always picked at their peak of ripeness and the seasonal availability of specific types vary, so call or visit the orchard to learn more. Here are some of the apples grown at Nystrom Orchard:
- Wealthy apples: perfect for making pie.
- State Fair apples: delicious in sauces and baked goods.
- Zestar apples: firm and tasty, available before most varieties.
- SweeTango apples: sweet, juicy, and available in late August.
- Honeycrisp apples: a popular favorite, harvested in September.
- Haralson apples: crisp and tart, widely available in early October.
- Fireside apples: ripen late, typically in mid-October.
- Sweet 16 apples: found in early October and feature a unique anise flavor.
- Cortland apples: a favorite for cooking and harvested in early October.
- Regent apples: have a tougher skin and are ready to harvest around Halloween time.
- Connell Red apples: perfect for caramel or candied apples!
- Jelly Crab apples: tart and unique.
- Gala apples: small, sweet, and crisp. These are ideal snacking apples!
Pies and Crisps
Since adding pies to the offerings in 2013, Nystrom Orchard’s has gained quite a reputation for its baked goods. Customers come from miles away to purchase the orchard pies and crisps, particularly the Dutch Apple pies, which are most popular during the holiday season.
Baked with the orchard’s own apples, farm butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these pies are sold frozen during the holiday season so that consumers can bake and serve them hot at home. Try a warm slice with vanilla ice cream or a thick slice of cheddar cheese for a show-stopping dessert, anytime!
Some other customer favorites include the apple crisps, which are also available in a gluten-free option, and Cortland chutney, which are both available to order online for pickup or local delivery in the region.
Honey and Cider
Another sure sign of the season is a cup of cold-pressed apple cider; is there anything better? The cider press at Nystrom Orchard is the same one that they have used for decades.
Plus, the cider is crafted with 100% Nystrom orchard apples, zero preservatives, zero additives, and unpasteurized, as it has always been. If you have never tried orchard cider before, you are in for a treat!
Also available in limited supply is the Orchard’s own honey. Nystrom Orchard raises bees which help to pollinate the apple trees each year. The result is small batches of locally harvested honey that rivals any in the region.
Honey is offered at the orchard from harvest time in the fall until the close of the season, but don’t wait- the honey sells out fast!
Beef
Who would think of finding organic beef at an apple orchard? Nystrom’s offers the highest quality of organic beef found. Plus, all the steaks, roasts, ribs, liver, and ground beef is hand-cut to order.
Special Events
Nystroms’ also offers special event space rentals on-site; imagine having your special day at this amazing and unique venue. Come check it out at one of Nystrom Orchard’s Gourmet Tastings, offered twice a year in the Fall.
There are two distinct tastings available: one, a more informal sampling affair with gourmet nibbles, and a full bar. The second is a sit-down meal in the apple shed on the property, with the owner sharing stories about the orchard. This latter tasting is a more intimate event limited to 20.
Visit Nystrom Orchard!
Plan your own trip to try the apples, sample syrup, pick a pumpkin, and taste some of the best-baked goods around. If you can’t make it to the orchard in person, plan on checking out the online store for some of the orchard’s most popular options in-season.
Ready to keep growing your fall activity list? Discover more Minnesota apple orchards to visit this sweater weather season!