Apple pie contest

I decided to enter an apple pie contest held at "Äppelfabriken" which we have visited previously. So yesterday afternoon I spent hours in the kitchen making different small versions of pie. Me and C then had an internal unofficial contest of our own for dessert trying the different kinds I had made.
I used the same crust for them all but tried out different toppings and flavors using almond paste, white chocolate, ground cardamom, finely shopped rosemary and chopped nuts. The one we liked best was the the one topped with cardamom and maple syrup. So that is the one I made Sunday morning and the one I entered the contest with.

The entries had to be turned in by 1 pm. They were placed at this table in the green house and the judges (three judges) were to announce the results at 3:30 pm.

While we were waiting we walked around and took a look at the other activities that were taking place. We were also meeting up with my parents that were coming here.

You can bring your own apples here and turn them in to make apple cider. The minimum amount is four large bags or 50 kg (110 lbs). Out of that amount you get 25 liters (6.5 gallons) of pure apple cider.

Apples and even more apples sitting outside waiting to be turned into apple cider.

The had the windows open to the place so we could peek in and watch how the apples were pressed into cider. After being pressed the juice is heated and pasteurized in a large tank. The cider is then poured into bag in box containers and the product is stable of months. Once you open your bag in box the cider is still good for about a month as it is not really exposed to air.

The waste from the apples after they had been pressed to get the juice out to make the cider. Large amounts of apple meat.

Not only apples were found here. In the green house I saw this fig tree. I would love to have a fig tree one day because I am crazy about figs. I buy them every now and then but they are pretty expensive.

At another part of the area they had an apple exposition showing about 20-30 of the most common kinds of apples that are grown in Sweden during the fall.

You were allowed to try some of the different kinds. They had been placed on paper plates on neat rows with the names written on the plates. There was also additional information about the most common kinds.

So what happened to my pie and the apple pie contest you probably wonder. Unfortunately my pie did not make it to become the winner but I think it was still fun to enter the contest. The most enjoyable was probably the pie tasting me and C had the night before.

We had a nice day.