By John Kriz
Families, sun and, of course, apples were the order of the day on Saturday at the New Canaan Nature Center’s (https://www.newcanaannature.org) Cider Saturday – a traditional ‘kick-off’ for many of its Autumnal events.
With a bouncy house for kids, an apple slingshot – a large slingshot that shoots apples at distant targets – apples baked in an open fire, cider donuts, corn on the cob, crafts and more, it was a fun family event for many in the community.
There was also a demonstration of how to make cider, led by Aidan Murphey, NCNC’s Director of Environmental Education. Using a traditional ‘human-powered’ cider press in the fieldstone Cider House, Mr. Murphey, with the help of several children, showed how whole apples are shredded using a hand-cranked mill, with the shredded apples then pressed to extract the juice.
Everyone also had the opportunity to taste fresh cider.
The Nature Center has several old apple trees on its property, though most of the fruit ends up as deer and squirrel food.
Cider Saturday “brings the New Canaan community together here at the Nature Center,” said Mr. Murphey. “One of our main goals as a Nature Center is to bring the community out here, enjoy our space and see kind of what we have to offer.”
Fun Apple Facts
• Apples aren’t native to North America. They originate from Central Asia.
• Only the crabapple is native to North America.
• There are more than 7500 varieties of apples worldwide.
• It takes about forty apples to make a gallon of cider.
• It takes 4-7 years before an apple tree can bear fruit.
• Some apples are best for eating fresh, some for baking and others for making cider.
