Richland Gourmet Apple Blog

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Haute Apple Couture

Staci Sweet
Richland Gourmet Apple Contributor/Blogger

In keeping with our discussion, Appleology™ is the science of selecting, cleaning, and creating haute apple couture. Haute Apple Couture is the actual application and design of the apple aesthetic. From picking the right caramel for the application of the chocolate exterior to selecting the perfect nut accessories; our Gourmet Appleologists™ uniquely design each apple.

Before starting, they have to consider style and texture because let’s face it; who wants a chocolatety apple covered with pistachios and prunes – am I right? Because when you think of the style of the apple, this should tell you the ‘look’ you’re going for. So take our Polka Dot Pecan Gourmet Apple for instance.

This apple is a jumbo sized granny smith apple dipped in caramel and then meticulously stripped with not one but two kinds of chocolate: white milk and milk chocolate. The average apple eater would be satisfied with that; but haute apple couture dictates that we finish it something exquisite and oddly unique and voila – white chocolate wafers. Can you picture that; a crisp, very thin white chocolate wafer on a jumbo sized granny smith apple? Charles Frederick Worth – the mid nineteen century Englishman who started haute fashion would be pleased.

Our hand-executed techniques along with just the right amount of high-style and texture make every gourmet caramel apple a five-star fine dining experience; all from the comforts of your own home. Are you ready to experience haute apple couture? Visit richlandgourmetapples.com today! Click to view our apple boutique.

Appleology 101

Staci Sweet
Richland Gourmet Apples Contributor/Blogger

Appleology™ is the science of selecting, cleaning, and creating haute apple couture. To give you an idea of what a Gourmet Appleologist™ does, here’s just a taste;

Market Selection

Not every market has the best apples. At Richland Gourmet Apples®, only the finest gourmet apples are selected which means we scour our community for farmers markets and local grocers that carry an apple worthy to be called a Richland Apple.
The market has to be clean with no code violations.
The vendors must be friendly and in good standing within the farming community. Are you serious? No, but just roll with it.

Cleaning Process

Removing harsh pesticides involves a lot of soaking, washing, and praying. Because scientists have proven that no vegetable or fruit can be ridden of all chemicals, we take it a step further and ask that God would bless each apple after we’ve done our due diligence and cleaned it to the best of our ability. Again, this doesn’t happen all the time, but you get the gist.

Making Designer Apples

Because we are Appleologists™, we can’t disclose our designing secrets but what we will tell you is that we sample every ingredient from the luscious caramel, to the decadent triple chocolate to the precious pecans that make it to our creations. This is taught in Advanced Appleology™.

At Richland Gourmet Apples®, we take apples seriously. Gourmet Caramel Apples are more than a decadent treat; they’re a science – Appleology™ to be exact. Try one of our designer apple experiments today!

How To Become An Appleologist

At Richland Gourmet Apples^®, we take apples seriously. Our Gourmet Appleologists™; yes, that’s their name! ‘Wait? What’s an Appleologist™?’ Glad you asked. An Appleologist™ is someone extensively trained in the selection of picking and designing the finest Granny Smith Apples^® the market has to offer. Their extensive training includes;

Knowing how to pick the right apple. The selection process is crucial for an Appleologist™ because they have to be able to guestimate the juicyness and sweetness of each apple.
They go through weeks of apple cleaning. They have to go through the grueling process of learning how to thoroughly clean and rid each apple from harsh pesticides and unwanted fingerprints from those who couldn’t recognize their apple brilliance.
If they make it past their selection and apple cleaning exams, they move on to the Project Apple Runway Finals where they’re tested on their ability to design Haute Apple Couture.

And ladies and gentlemen, not every person that goes to Appleology™ training makes it through this process. It takes a sensitive taste palette and a keen eye for color to be able to create one of our gourmet apple creations. Oh anybody can dip an apple in some caramel and slap some nuts on it; but it takes time to become a Richland Gourmet Appleologist™.You think you’re ready to become an Appleologist™? Visit richlandgourmetapples.com and purchase a few of our products to get an idea of what you’re in for. After that, contact our admissions office at our Richland Gourmet School of Haute Apple Couture™ to apply*.

*Please note: We really don’t have a school and we don’t do all that; but hey! We kinda, sorta almost do.

Staci Sweet: Richland Gourmet Apple Contributor/Blogger

Friday, May 3, 2013

Candy Apple Remix

Staci Sweet

Richland Gourmet Apples Contributor/Blogger

Some of you Millennials may not remember, but us Generation X-ers and most Baby Boomers do; when you’d go to the County or State fair. Aaw yes! When it was fair time, our mothers would put our hair in pony tails, iron creases in our shorts and we grabbed our best pair of jellies (that’s plastic shoes for all you youngsters) and we headed for the Fair!

Remember when you’d stroll down the Midway to where all the games, rides, and oh let me tell you; the best-est food you ever tasted was. Back then you didn’t have the smorgasbord of fried everything you can put in some grease. No, we had hot dogs, corny dogs, pop corn, cotton candy and the ever so classic– candy apple.

Fast forward to 2013, drop the bass and bring the beat back and we, at Richland Gourmet bring you – the candy apple remix! Yes; it is with extreme delight that we re-introduce you to an American classic – the gourmet candy apple. Yes parents; run and tell your kids that for the price of what it’ll cost your family to go the movies, your family can share and experience these three delicious caramel dipped granny smith apples drenched in triple chocolate, mixed nuts and cashews - an American tradition; right in the comfort of your own home.

To get you hands on this chocolate threesome, click here. And oh, here’s to the good ole days!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

USDA and Gourmet Apples

Staci Sweet

Richland Gourmet Apples Contributor/Blogger

Did you know that the majority of Granny Smith Apples^® are imported from Chile¹? Yep! This explains why their price point is higher than Red or Golden Delicious Apples^®. This could also explain why the gourmet caramel apple industry can actually categorize them as ‘gourmet’; simply because of the price point.

I mean think about it. The mere definition of ‘gourmet’ is defined as ‘a cultural ideal associated with the or haute cuisine, which is characterized by refined, even elaborate preparations and presentations².’ Do you have any idea what it takes to make this apple…

…look like this? Gosh darn it, elaborate preparations! Because remember in the culinary world; presentation is everything. That’s why we at Richland Gourmet Apples, are able to charge you, the consumer, only $14.95 for this delightful jewel of an apple.

No, we didn’t mass produce this baby; this was handcrafted just for you. And because the United States Department of Agriculture stated in its latest report that the demand for Granny Smith Apples^® is moderate and the market is steady, we’ve decided to pass our culinary genius juices onto you, the consumer; and invite you to take advantage of this granny smith apple dipped in luscious caramel and layered with golden cashews, pecans and get this triple chocolate! Click to purchase.

So please, the next time you’re at the supermarket and you see a granny smith apple, think about us. Those Chileans are making us candy apple enthusiasts very happy!

¹http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/wa_fv101.txt

² http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gourmet

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Mobile Apple Gaming Night

There's an app for that! Yes, believe it or not; there's actually an app for the Granny Smith Apple! Click here to view.

Got a lot to do with Christmas around the corner? So much to do that you barely have time to get out of the car? Here's a great idea! When you order our delicious gourmet caramel apples, you can make it into a game night; from the comfort of your car! How?

Simply order our scrumptious large gourmet apple basket which comes with shortbread cookies, gourmet crackers, cheese spread, mixed nuts, chocolate covered pretzels, toffee peanuts, and three of our huge gourmet apples; Rocky Road, Double Chocolate Pecan, and Toffee Apples.

Hit up a drive through, afterwards serve up some gourmet caramel apples, click here to download the Granny Smith app for your android and let the kiddies play! A delicious, gaming experience for the family and you didn't even have to leave the car!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Granny Smith Apples Go Hi-Tech!

Who would have thought that a Granny Smith apple would receive so much attention? According to MacWorld U.K., Apple Inc. now owns the trademark for the Granny Smith apple image. For more info, click here.

You know what this means, right? Gourmet caramel apples are now hi-tech! That's right. By purchasing our latest gourmet caramel apples, you not only have a center piece, but a conversation starter as well.

At your next Holiday Party, why not purchase a few of our Gourmet Caramel Holiday Apples, get your laptop or tablet out and tell the tale of how Apple Inc. had to shell out $500 million for the Granny Smith apple and all you had to pay was a cool $20.00!

Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook and check back soon for more great gourmet caramel apples stories and tips! To purchase, visit us at RichlandGourmetApples.com!