National Apple Day

Braeburn, Discovery, Red Jonagold, Pink Lady, and a million other varieties with a million different evocative names, and each one more delicious than the last!

Here’s to thee, old apple tree,
Whence thou mayst bud
And whence thou mayst blow!
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel—bushel—sacks full,
And my pockets full too! Huzza!

South Hams of Devon, 1871

Every year the exquisite orchards spill forth a cavalcade of crimson, gold, and green, and it’s not just the leaves of Autumn. On the heels of this rolling bounty comes the rich smell of apple pies, spicy ciders (both alcoholic and not), and all the tastes and smells of this seasonal treat.

This is the time to celebrate everything that has to do with National Apple Day!

History of National Apple Day

Each year, people in various parts of the world gather for a celebration of the most delicious harvest of the year and come together to share the joy and fun of apples. Events range in size from minor to full-blown fairs in villages all over the country, where enthusiasts come together to share recipes for juice and cider, advice on how to properly grow their apples, and information on all the apple varieties available.

First made an official event in 1990 in Covent Garden, the events for National Apple Day have been celebrated every year since, and it has grown from a local event to one celebrated all over in different parts of the globe. It has grown from a simple celebration of the apple to a recognition of cultural and genetic diversity in food that should not be allowed to pass from the world.

Apples can be eaten and enjoyed not only on National Apple Day but every day. After all, as the old saying goes: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

How to Celebrate National Apple Day

Getting involved in celebrating National Apple Day can be simple and fun! Try out some of these ideas to enjoy the day, whether alone or with a large group of people:

Eat An Apple

A great way to start an National Apple Day celebration is by gobbling down one of any number of delicious apple varieties. Yellow, green, pink or red, a fresh and juicy apple can be eaten cut, sliced, or simply by taking a giant bite out of the center. Eat it alone or dip it in something sweet like peanut butter with granola, Nutella, caramel sauce or a yummy cream-cheese dip.

Slice an apple up and put it on a sandwich, dice and cook it for a couple of hours to make applesauce or apple butter, wrap it in a pastry and bake it, or chop it up and put it in some pancakes. No matter how it is eaten, anyone can find a way to appreciate this delicious fruit on National Apple Day!

Join an National Apple Day Event

Check out which National Apple Day events are going on around the town or in the local area. Join in on various events and take in the unique varieties that grow in orchards near where you live.

Although National Apple Day traditionally falls on October 21, it can be expected that events will go on all throughout the month in celebration of the Apple. Catch an apple orchard tour or go apple picking on most weekends. With hundreds of events happening in the UK alone, and many more throughout the world, there’s sure to be some apple-related fun in October for everyone to enjoy!

Try Some New Apple Recipes

Apples are good for far more than just pies, crisps and crumbles! An extremely versatile fruit, apples can be made into a wide variety of dishes. They can be sweet or savory, used in salads, pastries, and even main dishes. Have fun using apples in all kinds of unique recipes and get started with some of these ideas:

• Sweet Potato and Apple Latkes. Take the potato pancake to a new level by changing it up with healthful sweet potatoes and tasty apples. Plus, add a bit of tang using a tahini sauce drizzled on top.
• Apple Sage Chickpea Veggie Burgers. Forget about needing meat to make a tasty burger–with apples and garbanzo beans, the vegetarians and vegans can be super excited about grilling too!
• Quinoa Apple Cheddar Soup. Apples and cheddar have been a classic pairing for many generations. Adding some quinoa gives more substance to this slightly sweet and tangy, comforting autumn soup.
• Apple Fries with Caramel Cheesecake Dip. Looking for a unique way to make french fries a bit more interesting? Try them with apples! Just after frying apple slices, dip them into a cinnamon sugar combination and serve with caramel and cream cheese dip.

Host an National Apple Day Event

You can also host an National Apple Day event for friends, family, and neighbors, encouraging people to try new recipes and types of apples. Be sure to treat your guests with special ciders brewed at the nearby orchards, and apple-themed treats from nearby bakeries. The heart and soul of National Apple Day are supporting the genetic diversity of Apple Orchards not being consumed by monoculture farming.

Participate in Apple Wassail

Another way to celebrate National Apple Day is to participate in the Apple Wassail, a traditional form of this ancient practice often performed as part of an National Apple Day celebration. As part of the practice, the bread will be laid on the roots of trees which are then doused with apple cider. This practice was said to bless the trees and bring about good harvests.

Get out there and enjoy National Apple Day, and relish the fruits of the season!