JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Summer is coming to an end, but for many people, that means enjoying some fall favorites. One of those favorites is heading to the area apple orchards.
We're told that this year's variety of apples will be sweeter than in years past. 28/22 News Reporter Connor Coar explains how the weather affects the apple season.
We all know how much rain we got in the spring over the last couple of months. It has been much drier, allowing the apples in northeastern PA to dry out.
28/22 News stopped by Ritter's Cider Mill in Jefferson Township to take a look at their apples and other products they're selling this year.
Apple pies, doughnuts, and even different types of condiments are all made with these dried-out apples.
If you find yourself at Ritter's, there is no need to worry about a sugar rush. The team decreases the amount of sugar in their ingredient list for all their apple products.
Since the apples have been drying out for most of the summer, they will be much sweeter, thanks to the natural sugars in the fruit.
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"Last year they weren't as flavorful, like, of course, the wet summer kind of watered down the apple, so when it's dry, you get higher sugar content, and sweeter and flavorful," owner of Ritter's Cider Mill, Sally Brinkman, explained.
Ritter's opened in 1978. One man and his wife have been coming here for over 20 years.
"Good place. Come up here. The people are wonderful. The crowd is good. They have horses over here for the kids. Hay rides," Pittston resident Bernie Babonis told 28/22 News.
They make the commute from Pittston multiple times a year to buy products here in the Mount Cobb area. Babonis tells 28/22 News the fresh flavors of fall are worth the trip.
"We always come up here for our cider, our apples. Their pies are delicious. Their donuts are out of this world," exclaimed Babonis.
Every weekend, Sally's husband Earl makes 500 gallons of cider a day. He says he slows down during the week, but only to 300 gallons made every other day.
The cider mill is expecting its busiest time of the year to be October. During that time, they will also have around 20 different types of apples available for customers.
28/22 News can confirm that after trying some apple cider on Tuesday, you can definitely taste how sweet it is.
