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25th Michigan Apple Cider Contest awards recognize exceptional makers
Michigan’s apple industry is celebrating its 25th Michigan Apple Cider Contest with well-known, repeat winners.
Michigan State University Fruit Extension Educator and Fruit Extension Educator and contest coordinator Dr. Derek Plotkowski tells Brownfield the type of apple varieties being grown has changed overtime, but cider makers still rely on traditional recipes that have been the same for decades.
“You see a lot of people really scrounging around to get the Northern Spies and to get Jonagold’s or Golden Delicious for their flavor,” he shares.
He says weather conditions this fall pushed harvest earlier for some growers while other apple varieties were left on longer because of rain delays. Both the timing and precipitation impacted apple flavors.
“Because many of them were harvested a little bit early, the acidity was a little bit higher and the sweetness was down a little bit as well,” he explains.
He says Michigan apple growers also are more prone to use antique and hard cider varieties in their sweet cider blends.
Hill Brothers Orchard of Grand Rapids, the original winner of the first contest, took home first place this year. It was the 11th time the brothers had placed in the top three and their sixth first-place win.
Second place was awarded to Farmer White’s from Williamsburg, the second time they placed in the top three. Blakes Orchard and Cider Mill of Armada took home third making it the third time their cider placed in the contest.
Brownfield Ag News Anchor/Reporter Nicole Heslip has been a contest judge for nearly a decade.
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