Chuck and Diane Souther
Owners, Apple Hill Farm
How long have you operated the orchard? How did you get involved in the business?
Chuck: We started the business in 1978 as a wholesale deal, and it kind of morphed into retail starting about 1990, and we built the farm stand in 1994. And I'd worked in orchards in high school in the Concord area.
Diane: And we fell in love with the lifestyle, decided it was something we could do for ourselves and still work together.
What is your favorite kind of apple?
Diane: I like a McIntosh, plain and simple.
Chuck: My favorite that I really enjoy is a Macoun, when it's perfect.
What is your favorite thing to make out of apples?
Diane: I would have to say an apple pie.
Chuck: Apple crisp. (Diane assures us the farm stand uses a recipe called “Chuck's favorite apple crisp.”)
Did you plant the apple trees here? Are there kinds of apples that won't grow here?
Chuck: There was nothing here when we started, so we planted them all. And it's not so much that they wouldn't grow, but there are certainly varieties that don't do well in the northeast, in our climate. There are some that do better in mid-Atlantic states, with a little warmer climate, like Winesap, and some that are definitely longer season than we have in New Hampshire, like Granny Smith. We've got some Fuji, but we struggle to get them to taste really good just because we run out of heat in October.
Diane: We have about 32 different varieties.
Chuck: One of the fun things in the retail trade is that you do get good customer interaction, so you do get to try new varieties and you find that there are customers that are really adventurous that want something new, they don't want the apple that my grandmother got. We're in the business of providing what our customers want, so you've got to pay attention to that.
What are some of the most unique uses you've seen for apples?
Chuck: One thing people may not realize is that we provide the cider to Flag Hill Winery and Distillery. You can go in the liquor store and buy vodka and gin and brandy made from New Hampshire apples.
Diane: At the farmers' market we work with other vendors and always share ideas. Heartsong Herbs, who does goat cheese, actually wrapped some of her goat cheese in the pomace that came from the cider pressings to give it an apple flavor.
Kids these days seem to be more interested in iPhones and laptops than actual apples. Convince kids to put down the technology and get out there and pick some apples.
Diane: That's easy. You just open the door and watch them on the weekends and they head right for the trees.
Chuck: Because it's fun, it's outdoors, it's natural.
Diane: And it's like an adventure, finding that perfect apple.
Chuck: And for what it's worth, we have all Apple computers, too. It just seemed like we had to do it that way. Even if they did spell McIntosh wrong.
What is the difference between an apple you pick yourself and one you just buy at the store?
Chuck: Of course the biggest difference is you picked it, and it's absolutely fresh. That's the coolest thing – you know where it came from, you picked it, you put the work into it, and you had fun doing it.
What is the absolute height of peak apple-picking season?
Chuck: The third and fourth week of September through early October is kind of like apple-mania.
Diane: It's when all the varieties start to taste pretty good and the selection is there, and then you just have to get into deciding which one do you want.
Any apple-picking tips for people? How do you reach the high branches?
Diane: Well, the first thing you do before you load the kids in the car is you make sure the orchard is open.
Chuck: There's plenty of apples within reach, so for safety purposes we discourage people from climbing the trees. That ruins everybody's day (when something bad happens because of climbing.)
What are you looking for in the perfect apple?
Diane: I would say one that's facing the sun, so you can get the shiny appearance from the sunshine, and it usually allows for good color on the apple because it also helps redden it up. I like to find the perfect shape, and I'm not a fan of a huge apple, I like a medium-sized one because it's easier to eat and I know I'm going to eat the whole thing. I don't like to see waste.
If you weren't running an orchard, what would you be doing?
Diane: I'd be working at a ski area.
Chuck: Yup, I'd be driving a Sno-Cat at a ski area.
Hidden talent?
Chuck: Both of us could ski anybody pretty much under the table. Although we're getting a little older. We're not quite as fast as we used to be.
Guilty pleasure?
Chuck: Exploring New Hampshire's back roads. Try to get from here to there on a dirt road without encountering tar.
Diane: And with the new iPad, you can put the satellite map on and find the neatest places.
Chuck: Not all the roads go through, but that's part of the challenge.
