"Spies for Pies" is the cry every fall for pie lovers searching for their favorite pie apple. Around these parts the Northern Spy is seen as the quintessential pie apple. Who needs a Granny Smith, when you have an apple that embodies both the tartness and a great flavor when cooked. I will take a Northern Spy any day.
Northern Spy was believed to have been discovered sometime between 1800-1849 in Rochester, New York. It is popular in my home state of Michigan as well as New York and Ontario, most of the country might not know of it's existence. The apple has issues that many commercial orchards don't want to deal with - odd shapes, not bright colors, suspectiable to disease like bitter pit. People's passion for this apple has keep it alive and well in certain regions of the country.
Where to Find Northern Spy Apples in Michigan
Below you will find a list of orchards and farms that grow Northern Spy apples in Michigan. I will add other areas if there is an interest (leave a comment below if you are interested). Check with each individual farm about availability. Many you will be able to pick your own Northern Spy. Begin looking for Northern Spy in October, usually around the middle of the month. It is one of the later apples to ripen. Be wary of Northern Spy picked in September, they may not have developed their full flavor.
Detroit/Ann Arbor Metro Area
Kapnick Orchards (Britton, MI)
Wasem Fruit Farm (Milan, MI)
Blake Orchards (Armada, MI)
Erwin Orchards (South Lyon, MI)
Plymouth Orchards (Plymouth, MI)
Millerβs Big Red Apple Orchard (Romeo, MI)
Long Family Orchard & Cider Mill (Commerce Township, MI)
Brookwood Fruit Farm (Almont, MI) - besides Northern Spy, this orchard grows Novaspy, this is a Northern Spy cross with hints of vanilla flavor! They also grow the Spigold which is a Northern Spy - Golden Delicious cross that is just as good for pies and very flavorful.
Traverse City Area
King Orchards (Central Lake, MI)
Farmer White's (Williamsburg, MI)
Altonen Orchards (Williamsburg, MI)
Southwest Michigan
Corey Lake Orchards (Three Rivers, MI)
Schultz Fruitridge Farms (Mattawan, MI)
For peeling Northern Spies for pies, I recommend this peeler from Zyliss
Beth Seibert
Hello,
My brother moved to North Carolina and he really misses Michigan's Northern Spy apples. Do you know if there are any places that would ship 30 pounds to him?
Thank you,
Beth Seibert
Eric Samuelson
I don't know of a place yet that could ship that amount but I will keep my eyes out and let you know if I find something.
Brookwood Fruit Farm
Brookwood Fruit Farm in Almont, MI can ship any quantity of Northern Spies (or any varieity we grow for that matter) anywhere in the US. Please contact us if interested!
http://www.brookwoodfruitfarm.com
Leslie Boomers
Anyone in the Grand Rapids area growing Spies?
Danielle
We have northern spy apples. Our farm is Apple A Day farm..53392 38th Avenue, Bangor, MI
269-674-7127
Pete Nugent
Nugent Orchards in Benzonia, MI has Northern Spy and Spy Gold apples available for U-Pick. Open weekends in September and October. (231) 383-3702.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing Pete!