ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Apple cider is used each day to make the tasty fall treats at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard. But Mike Stepp said it’s more than just the ingredients that make these donuts so good.

What You Need To Know

  • Apple season is here in North Carolina, which means apple picking, apple cider and all the works

  • North Carolina is the 7th largest producer of apples in the country, and Henderson County is the No. 1 producer of apples in our state

  • The farm is a "U-pick," apple orchard, which means you pay for what you pick 

“The people that we have here are super interested in doing a very good job with donuts. They follow the instructions, and when you follow the instructions, you can make a good donut,” Stepp said.

But before the donuts, comes apple cider and before apple cider, comes the apples.

“We live in a good climate here with the cool nights, apples can get the color they need. But it’s a good, long growing season for them so, we’re not too far south, but we’re not too far north,” Stepp said.

But when it does get cold, that can impact the fruit.

“Around the top, this kind of ruffing of the skin. That is cold damage,” Stepp said.

Stepp knows a lot about apples and has been working here his entire life.

“I really enjoy it. It’s neat, even at my age and the many years we’ve been in the apple business, you still learn something new each year,” Stepp said.

The orchard has been around since the '60s. They focus on what they do best and outsource their cider from another apple grower.

“Those apples that he uses for his cider, since he has a variety, it makes for a great taste, and it is consistently the same year after year,” Stepp said.

In addition to the cider being used for the donuts, they offer apple cider slushies daily. On the weekends, they have apple cookies, apple turnovers and apple blossoms.

With approximately 8,000 apple trees, an acre of grapes, five acres of pumpkins and sunflowers, Stepp says they are really blessed.

“We’ve talked to people that actually bring their children, and they said they were here when their parents brought them, as a child. To see that in a couple of generations is fantastic,” Stepp said.

The Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is a U-pick farm, which means there’s no admission and you pay for what you pick. Later this year, the orchard will offer pumpkins.

“There’s always something to learn about growing apples. Each year is different, but it is an interesting occupation," Stepp said.