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DURHAM — Most people are familiar with a few kinds of apples — McIntosh, Gala and Golden Delicious among them — but fewer realize Maine was once home to hundreds more, some so local they were only ever tasted by farmers and families within a few miles of where they were grown.
Cider-maker and author David Buchanan will talk about apples and bring cider samples to a talk April 28.
The Durham Historic District Commission and Durham Historical Society will host Buchanan for a talk about the antique apples of Maine and a tasting of some of Buchanan’s small-batch hard ciders, made from wild and heirloom apples found through exhaustive statewide research.
From his 117-acre Portersfield Cider farm in neighboring Pownal, Buchanan travels the back roads of Maine every fall in search of wild seedlings and abandoned apple trees, the best of which he grafts for his own orchard, which now includes more than 225 varieties of apples, many in danger of extinction.
Buchanan authored the 2012 book “Taste Memory: Forgotten Foods, Lost Flavors and Why They Matter.”
“The Durham Historic District Commission has been working closely with the Durham Historical Society over the last year to do more outreach and education activities in our community,” said commission member Mary Fallon, “and we’re excited to host someone like David Buchanan, who can tell us about this little-known aspect of local agriculture and local history. Anyone with an interest in history, farming or even artisanal, small-batch ciders would enjoy this event.”
The evening begins at 7 p.m. at Durham’s Eureka Center, 606 Royalsborough Road, and is only open to those age 21 and older.
pace is limited, and tickets can be purchased at Durham’s Get N’ Go convenience store, at 697 Royalsborough Road, or Durham town office, 630 Hallowell Road. For more information, call 207-353-5215.
PHOTO: Golden Delicious apples at a local Maine apple orchard in this October 2017 photo. (Durham Historical Society photo)
