by Richard Uhlhorn
Apple cider… a wonderfully crisp and satisfying drink normally available in the Fall during harvest. Pressed from perfectly inperfect apples, apple cider has been a standard drink around apple orchards during and after harvest as a way to celebrate that years harvest. Usually the cider is pressed with apples that are blemished and not good enough for the commercial market.
No more… Manson Growers now makes apple cider available year-round at their new facility, Cider Press. Located at Manson Growers, Cider Press is the brainstorm of the upper echelon staff as a way to diminish the amount of apples called culls from being transported to the juicing processers.
Kyla Allen who is in charge of marketing Cider Press said, “Our valley has a great opportunity to offer more year-round family friendly activities.”
Cider Press had a soft Grand Opening last July and the new venture was well received by the local community. “We received so much positive feedback from the community and out-of-town visitors,” Allen stated.
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.
Kari Petersen, the businesses project manager, added, “We want people to experience agriculture and fall in love with it.” The entire enterprise is geared for family fun. “How much fun is it for a young child to put apples in the press and watch the cider flow into a bucket? They love it!
“We are in our slow season right now,” said Wai Tim Petersen who is Manson Growers director of sales. “We are gearing up for maximizing a year around business,” he said. “We are also keeping it affordable for the locals”
Cider Press is in more than pressing those apples for the general public. It also offers other locally produced products like honey, apple jelly, caramel and candles along with gift boxes for those special occasions with different packing options that can be shipped anywhere in the country.
Customers can also register to press their own cider. A one hour pressing runs $75 and produces up to 10 half gallon containers of cider. The Presses expert staff guides customers through the process including apple selection to the final bottling stage. It’s a great educational and fun experience for families.
Cider Press also offers light food items like paninis, ice cream, smoothies, and coffee made from the Methow Valley’s Blue Star Coffee Roasters. It’s a great place to enjoy breakfast or lunch.
“It’s a great example of repurposing,” said Petersen. “We are looking for more apple inspired products. The opportunities are endless,” said Allen.
Cider Press doesn’t just offer products and a light food service, but the business can also cater events like weddings, corporate gatherings, receptions and other special celebrations. They can also provide an educational tour of Manson Growers apple processing plant.
Cider Press is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week (closed on Sunday). More information is available on its website at www.mansongrowers/ciderpress.com or by email at ciderpress@mansongrowers.com. Cider Press phone number is 509-423-5911.
Manson Growers:
Manson Growers has been growing world class apples since 1959 and exporting them around the world to a variety of customers. Currently Manson Growers and orchardists are growing apples on 3,500 acres, 1,400 acres of which are Manson Growers orchards.
“We have a large group that helps its growers with anything they need from labor to other issues they face in a highly regulated business that has rising costs.
“Exports are a large share of our market,” said Petersen. Most of our packs are shipped to S.E. Asia and Mexico. Our customers still like Reds and they want the best. We sell our apples at a premium.” The company does not sell to big grocery chains. “It all comes down to our business model which is based on our volume.”
“We’ve got some customers who are very loyal. We work with people.”
The company brought in 56,000 bins this past harvest. “That is low,” said Petersen. In a good growing year, Manson Growers will handle up to 90,000 bins.
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