Doud Orchards produces unique line of zodiac apples

Monday, October 14, 2024 at 9:26 AM

By Shelby Lopez

Doud Orchard has been serving the community for the past 130 years at its Denver location, bringing unique produce and atmosphere to the business. Among the unique produce, a line of zodiac apples that can only be found exclusively at the orchard.

Doud Orchards, 8971 N. State Road 19, near Denver, has been in business at its current location since 1894. Starting in an old school house the Doud family and another local family had built in 1883, the business continued to expand over the years providing fresh apples, peaches, pears, cherries, berries and vegetables to the community. One of the oldest orchards in Indiana, the business still grades its apples on a vintage grading machine with a circular belt.

Inside the vintage barn storefront, one can find produce, along with apple cider that is pressed on site, homemade apple butter, popcorn, candies, local honey and more. Doud Orchards' 9,000 apple trees include 150 varieties of apples. Among the unique varieties are a line of zodiac sign apples that are a combination of honey crisp and Fuji apples and include the Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces, Virgo, Aries and Capricorn.

The zodiac-themed apples were originated by the Doud family before they sold the orchard five years ago and can be only found exclusively at Doud Orchards. New owners Justin and Sarah Driscoll continue the tradition and say the zodiac-themed apples are one of the most sought varieties sold at the orchard to this day. The Driscolls plan on also keeping the orchard a family tradition, as they operate the business with their three children, just as the Douds had done for the past 130 years.

Doud Orchards is open daily, providing its unique produce from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the heart of the autumn season, weekends also include entertainment and tractor rides through the historic orchard.