Autumn in New Hampshire has its own soundtrack of crunchy leaves, but it also has a flavour: fresh apple cider. When orchards begin harvesting apples and the hills turn red, orange and gold, cider becomes part of the seasonal experience.
Fresh cider is the place to start
Traditional apple cider is pressed from apples and is very different from a clear bottle of ordinary apple juice. It tends to have a fuller flavour and feels perfectly suited to a cool New England day.
You will often find it at orchards, farm stands and country stores during apple season.
Do not forget the cider doughnuts
Apple cider doughnuts deserve almost equal billing. Fresh, warm and usually coated with cinnamon sugar, they are exactly the sort of simple food that can become one of the strongest memories of an autumn road trip.
If you see a line forming beside an orchard bakery, there is probably a good reason.
Make cider part of an orchard visit
I would not search for cider as an isolated drink. Instead, combine it with apple picking or a visit to a farm shop. Buy a few local apples, drink cider and leave room for a doughnut.
Some producers also make alcoholic hard cider, but offerings vary widely and are a separate tradition from the fresh cider associated with family orchard visits.
Visit in the right season
Apple cider is most closely connected with late summer and autumn. Harvest timing varies with the weather and apple variety, so check individual orchards if picking fruit is important to you.
New Hampshire has spectacular fall foliage. Adding fresh cider and an orchard stop turns that beautiful drive into something you can taste as well.
Leave a Reply