On Friday, June 30th, 2023, we set off on an adventure in the “Cantons de l’Est”. We had booked a three-star motel/hotel for one night in Sherbrooke (La Paysanne) during the previous week.
Note: Going on an adventure on a whim can be problematic for booking a room or a camping spot during the summer season. We were lucky to find a place at the last minute.
Since we arrived a bit too early to pick up the keys to our room, we headed to the first place we wanted to visit. The Ferland cider mill/orchard is located at 380 Chemin de la Station, Compton, Quebec (819-835-5762).
While Serge was taking photos outside, I went inside and asked the lady at the reception if we could film inside. Not all businesses allow this, even if we promise them free publicity in return. If you want to film or take photos inside a place, it’s best to ask for permission. Besides, it helps to establish a connection with the people in charge of the place you’re visiting.
By promising not to film the lady, we were granted permission to take video footage inside. It’s spacious, bright, and welcoming as soon as you enter. There are fridges filled with apple and pear-based products. Jellies, jams, pies, donuts, ciders, and apple musts are presented at very reasonable prices to tempt us. And it works.
As we were leaving, I couldn’t resist having a refreshing, ice-cold apple must on such a hot day, served in an individual format… Yes, I wanted it! We added it to our two bottles of 7% alcohol cider. One with apple and maple syrup flavor was delicious. It wasn’t bitter at all and had a nice sweet taste of maple syrup lingering on the palate. The other bottle hasn’t been opened yet, but I’m eagerly looking forward to it, apple and pear flavor. Yes, they also make pear cider. I didn’t even know that cider could be made from a fruit other than apples.
On the back wall, there is an array of trophies and medals won by their delicious products in Quebec and pan-Canadian competitions. There are also information panels about the history of the orchard located behind the shop. We were a bit too early in the season to have access to the orchard, and the lady explained to us that it had been too cold in early spring, which will likely delay the fruit harvest this year. I’m not a fan of apple picking, but since we were there, I wouldn’t have said no to the opportunity to pick a small basket of freshly harvested apples from the tree.
After chatting and making our purchases, we went outside to take more photos of the orchard. On the adjacent grounds to the reception, picnic tables are available for visitors to relax, drink, and enjoy the fresh products offered by the orchard. The scenery is beautiful. Drinking apple must while overlooking the orchard is truly relaxing.
Serge had never tried apple must before, so I let him taste mine before opening the other bottle. I had to take my bottle back from him as he was about to drink it all by himself. Hey, that’s my bottle!
If you pass through Compton, I highly recommend making a stop at the Ferland cider mill/orchard for a refreshing break. We came across several apple orchards and cider mills along the way, but personally, I think it was the best choice to stop at this one. It’s much more visually appealing and secluded, so it’s much quieter.
A piece of advice: make a stop at La Station cheese dairy beforehand and enjoy a good piece of local cheese in addition to your apple drink. (La Station cheese dairy will be featured in the next blog post.)
Until next time.
XXX Sandra
NOTE: Always bring a cooler with ice packs when you visit cider mills, cheese dairies, microbreweries, and other local small businesses. Yes, you will buy products, and yes, you will run out of space to put everything. The opposite is only possible if you have no souls, no stomachs, or if you forgot your money and payment cards at home.
Video soon available.