Don’t believe what they say
It’s always nice when someone says something complimentary,
so imagine how satisfied we were to read the following about our farm and products
in the latest edition of the Bridgestone Guide:
“The Apple Farm
Con Traas is a superb artisan, a man with an artist’s sensibility when it comes
to producing and making cutting-edge foods. The sheer quality of his fruit – from
August’s Discovery apples through to Delbar Estival, then early Windsors, then
into Cox’s, Elstar and his signature Karmine – is a constant treat (though not
actually constant, as this fruit sells quickly from the barn, the good people
of Tipperary knowing a good thing when it is on their doorstep). He also has
fresh strawberries from May – varieties include Elsanta, Florence and Eros – then
raspberries and plums. All are grown with infinite care and skill.
But perhaps Mr. Traas’ greatest achievement is the juices he makes from his fruit.
The Karmine blend includes some James Grieve and Bramley, whilst the special cuvée
of Karmine uses hand-selected fruit – “These apples have more of everything; they
are the apples the trees give most to” – explains Mr. Traas of the selection of
fruit. Finally, there is a superb cider vinegar. 95% of this superb produce is
sold direct from the farm, completing a close relationship between farm, farmer
and customer. This is how all farms should be run and managed. We reckon Mr. Traas
would be a fine Minister for Agriculture.”
Now if only Bertie Ahern were a subscriber…
In the budget
Speaking of politicians, there was some welcome news for microbrewers in the budget.
Basically, all small breweries will have their rate of excise duty halved to enable them to compete
with large-scale operations. Unfortunately, as announced, this news only extends to brewers of beer,
though we are hopeful that it will be extended to cider in the finance bill.
If that happens, it
may mark the beginning of a new era in cider-making, with a number of apple growers making cider
for sale on their farms, just as was commonplace in years gone by.
In our farm-shop at the moment
At the moment we have Jonagored, Karmijn de Sonnaville and Golden Delicious
eating apples. Bramley cookers are available as usual, and at only €5.00 for 7kg are very good value.
As usual we have apple juice, apple jelly, and strawberry and plum jams for sale, as well as
farm-made cider vinegar.
As a special treat, we have an apple and raspberry juice, made from our own raspberries and
apples of course, and we hope to have a strawberry and apple mix within a few days.
Cahir Farmers’ Market
Another new stall has arrived at the market. As well as all that we
had before, you can now get fresh paté at the Knockara Paté stall, and pesto, olives
and much more from our newest arrival. See you at the market on Saturday between 9 and 1.
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