Dan Davidson knew he’d someday have use for the century-old Eagle Junior apple press he purchased in Parsons about 20 years ago.

 

Tomorrow, he and his wife Cheryl will put it to work. At Bridgeport Farmers Market, the couple will sell Jonamac and Ginger Gold apples, as well as fresh-pressed cider.

 

Doing business as DNC Farm in Flemington, the couple operates an orchard where they grow 30 varieties of apples, as well as peaches and pears.

 

“We have a little over 550 trees – only a few of each variety – and we get an early harvest of apples in July and then have some maturing every couple weeks,” said Cheryl Davidson.

 

Earlier this month DNC Farm had Pristine, Summer MacIntosh, Jonamac and Pioneer MacIntosh apples available at Bridgeport Farmers Market. 

 

Last winter’s extremely cold conditions had an effect on the growing season.

 

“The negative temperatures actually killed some of our trees and stunted the growth of the blossoms,” Davidson said. “Our numbers are way down and our plums didn’t make it, but that’s Mother Nature. When you’re in the growing business, that happens.”

 

Although the couple has used the press for their own purposes, tomorrow is the first time they’ve utilized it for their business. Before selling the cider for profit, the Davidsons had to work with the Department of Agriculture to define their product – which although being sold as “cider,” is virtually fresh, pure juice. That product differs from both hard cider and store-purchased apple juice; the former which typically contains alcohol and the latter which is usually processed, filtered, pasteurized and blended with other ingredients.

 

The apple press has a nostalgic feel; so does the process, explained Cheryl Davidson.

 

“The press has a cast iron mechanism on the top and a little hopper and you put the apples into this hopper and then turn a crank and it draws a blade that cuts up the apples then they drop into a special basket which is pushed forward to an actual press, which physically squishes the cut-up apple through that basket and the juice runs out the bottom.”

 

A modern-day juicer oxidizes the juice, which gives it a brown color.

 

“Ours comes out whatever color the apple is,” Davidson said.

 

The couple plans to combine the Jonamac and Ginger Gold varieties for Sunday’s signature blend cider. They hope Market goers will stop by their tent and give it a try. They also hope their new product is a good compliment to market offerings. Working together with other vendors to create an interest in locally-grown and locally-made food items is what it’s all about, they said.

 

Sunday’s market will feature a number of in-season crops and local products, as well as the annual Country Roads Cook-Off. Read about it HERE. Bridgeport Farmers Market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marketplace at Charles Pointe.