Pear Juice, the old fashioned way

i

Our friends from Michigan were in town for the weekend. Before they left to go home, we took them to Slate Run Historical Farm for a little taste of 1800s Ohio farm life.

Upon arrival, we saw a farmer with a wheel barrel by the pear trees. It turned out we had arrived too early, before the 11am opening time. The farmer did not seem too bothered. He told us a bit about the orchards; how the apple trees have a harder time with pests, and that these two pear trees can yield a lot more fruits than several of their apple trees can provide good apples. As we listened, we helped him collect the fallen pears for the old fashioned cider press.

The farm bell rang when they were ready for the cider pressing. The kids ran from the barn so fast you would think it was Christmas morning. They were allowed to help put the pears into the press as well as the pressing itself. How fun that they got to see and help with the whole process, from beginning to end.

And I hear (I did not taste it) that the pear juice was quite a delicious reward.