A Sweet Sneak Peek: Testing Mutsu & Empire, Our Orchard’s Superstars, This Friday!

Here at our cozy family orchard in "the hills" of Fresno County, we’re practically dancing in the rows with excitement for this weekend’s special event! On Friday morning, September 19, 2025, we’re putting two of our orchard’s shining superstars - Mutsu and Empire - to the test, checking their sugar content to ensure they’re at their juiciest, most flavorful peak. These apples, alongside our beloved McIntosh and Golden Delicious, are the heart of our sensational apple juice, and we can’t wait to see if they’re ready to dazzle your taste buds. Keep an eye on our social media for the results - we’ll post as soon as we know! Join us for a delicious weekend of U-Pick fun, cozy treats, and the chance to savor these incredible apples in the crisp, clear air of our Meadow Lakes orchard.

Mutsu: The Crisp, Spicy Sensation

Meet Mutsu, a true gem that lights up our orchard! Born in Japan in the 1930s at the Aomori Apple Experiment Station, this apple - also called Crispin - is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo, named after the Mutsu province. Its flavor is a lively blend of sweetness with a tart, spicy zing, paired with a crisp, juicy texture that makes every bite a delight.

• Perfect For: Mutsu is a dream for fresh eating, offering a refreshing crunch that’s perfect for snacking under our orchard’s trees. It’s also a star in pies and crumbles, adding a bold, spicy depth, and makes a killer applesauce with its vibrant flavor. Toss it into salads for a crisp, autumnal twist.

• Cheese Pairings: Mutsu loves a good cheese board! Try it with sharp cheddar to match its zesty edge, creamy Gouda to enhance its sweetness, or Brie for a buttery balance to its tart kick.

  
  

Empire: The Sweet-Tart Crowd-Pleaser

Say hello to Empire, our other superstar that’s stealing hearts in the orchard! A cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, this apple was crafted in the 1960s at Cornell University in New York, named for the Empire State’s bold spirit. Empire brings a vibrant sweet-tart flavor with a crisp, juicy bite, blending McIntosh’s tangy zip with Red Delicious’s mellow sweetness.

• Perfect For: Empire is a go-to for fresh eating, with its compact size and browning-resistant flesh making it ideal for lunchboxes or picnics during your U-Pick visit. It shines in baking—think pies, tarts, or muffins - where it holds its shape beautifully. Add it to salads for a pop of flavor or blend it into smoothies for a fall refresh.

• Cheese Pairings: Empire pairs like a dream with aged Gouda (18-month or longer) for a caramelized complement, blue cheese for a bold contrast to its tartness, or a soft goat cheese for a mild, creamy match to its crispness.

  
  

The Perfect Juice Blend: A Fabulous Foursome

Mutsu and Empire aren’t just stars on their own - they’re key players in our sensational apple juice, crafted from a blend of McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, and Empire. This fabulous foursome creates a juice that’s pure magic: McIntosh’s tart juiciness, Golden Delicious’s mellow sweetness, Mutsu’s spicy crispness, and Empire’s sweet-tart balance come together for a sip that’s perfect for drinking chilled, warming with spices, or cooking in recipes like glazes or cakes.

We’re testing Mutsu and Empire’s sugar content this Friday to ensure they’re ready to join the mix for our October 4th event. If they pass, you’ll be among the first to taste the results - check our social media for the big reveal!

Join Us This Weekend: A Cozy Orchard Adventure

This weekend, September 19-21, 2025, from 9 AM to 3 PM, come soak up the autumn vibes at our U-Pick orchard! With cooler weather and clearer skies (way less smoke than recent days), it’s the perfect time to pick McIntosh, Golden Delicious, and possibly more at $4.50 per pound, or grab culls at $2 per pound for your own applesauce or juice projects. Our farm stand will be brimming with fresh apples, pastries, pies, and steaming coffee to make your visit extra cozy.

Save the Date: October 4th Fun with a Fantasy Twist!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4th, when we’re rolling out a magical day at the orchard! Join us for two art classes led by the talented Deborah Klose, designed to complement our book signing event with fantasy author Leslie A. Lee and her release of the third book in her series 'Legends of the Vale.' These classes will spark the imagination and are perfect for kids' ages 7 years old and up: Times are 11:45AM (1.5 hours) and 1:45PM (1.5 hours).

These events are a dreamy addition to your fall activities in Fresno County, and we’re hoping to have our fresh-pressed apple juice ready by then - stay tuned for updates!

Stay in the Loop

We’re beyond excited to test Mutsu and Empire this Friday and share if these superstars are ready to shine! Follow our social media for the Friday morning sugar test results, and come pick these beauties this weekend in eastern Fresno County. Whether you’re munching them fresh, pairing them with cheese, or dreaming of our sensational juice, Mutsu and Empire are ready to make your fall unforgettable. Join us for a weekend of laughter, flavor, and orchard magic!

With apple-filled joy,

Your Meadow Lakes Orchard Team