Discover your apple at the Beaverton Farmers Market

Apples are undeniably the celebrities when it comes to a dramatic entrance at the Market. They arrive fashionably early, blush easily at compliments about their colors, and let’s be honest, their names either belong on a rockstar album cover or in a fairytale. This season, skip the grocery aisle of simply “green” and “red” and explore the abundance of apple varieties at BFM. Early-season apples are crisp, lively, and bright with acidity, while later varieties become sweeter, richer, and more aromatic as autumn unfolds. Tart apple lovers can bite into a crisp Sunrise, while fans of sweet, juicy apples may fall head over heels for Honeycrisp or Gala. Some are perfect for lunchboxes, others for pies, and perhaps this is the year to try your hand at homemade cider. After all, it’s not just about choosing an apple; it’s about discovering YOUR apple.

Apple season doesn’t happen by accident. Months of work go into every tree before you can take that first satisfying bite. Winter pruning, protecting delicate spring blossoms from frost, and hand-thinning the fruit all help farmers give each remaining apple room to grow bigger and sweeter. Every crisp bite represents countless hours of work that most of us never see. Certified organic apples from Pro Farm Orchards are a perfect addition to fall recipes and lunchboxes, while the colorful booth at Kiyokawa Family Orchards reflects generations of knowledge and experience growing exceptional fruit. Don’t be shy about asking their staff for advice – they are always happy to help you find the perfect apple, whether you prefer crisp and juicy or mild and soft.

The harvest celebration doesn’t stop with fresh fruit. If apples had a graduate school, Stone Circle Cider would be where they earn their master’s degree. Green Eats Wenatchee brings the flavors of Washington’s orchards to the Market in refreshing fruit beverages. Their family has been growing exceptional fruit in the Wenatchee Valley since 1988, including organic apples since 1999, and their cider is a perfect way to enjoy the harvest on a warm, crisp day. And while filling your basket, stop by Greens Bridge Gardens for seasonal herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. Paired with apples, they can add a savory or bright twist to everything from breads to desserts.

Of course, if your market haul becomes a little too enthusiastic (we’ve all bought twelve pounds because “they all looked so good!”), there are plenty of ways to enjoy every last apple. Homemade apple butter is an easy way to preserve the season: simply cook apples low and slow with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and a splash of cider until thick and caramelized. For lunchbox heroes, slice apples thinly, sprinkle with cinnamon, and dry them in a dehydrator or low oven for homemade apple chips. Keep fresh apples unwashed in the refrigerator crisper drawer, and toss sliced apples with a little lemon or pineapple juice to slow browning. Harvest season has officially arrived, bringing one of the greatest pleasures of shopping local: tasting the seasons exactly as nature intended. Try a variety you’ve never heard of, ask your farmer which apple they snack on after a long day in the orchard, bring home some cider, bake something fragrant, and enjoy that first perfect crunch.