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It is hard to miss this smiling face that sits outside of the Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany.  Appel Happel is a family-owned farm that allows customers  to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears.

It is hard to miss this smiling face that sits outside of the Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany. Appel Happel is a family-owned farm that allows customers to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

It is hard to miss this smiling face that sits outside of the Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany.  Appel Happel is a family-owned farm that allows customers  to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears.

It is hard to miss this smiling face that sits outside of the Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany. Appel Happel is a family-owned farm that allows customers to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

A young boy smiles from a wheelbarrow at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany.  Ilonka Happel, who owns the farm along with her husband, said kids learn something while getting something good to eat.  'A lot of kids think the apples come from the supermarket, not here,' she said.

A young boy smiles from a wheelbarrow at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany. Ilonka Happel, who owns the farm along with her husband, said kids learn something while getting something good to eat. 'A lot of kids think the apples come from the supermarket, not here,' she said. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

A girl reaches up after spotting the apple she wants at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany.  Every year from the end of August to Oct. 31, Appel Happel opens its gates to visitors wanting the opportunity to pick apples and pears from the farm's trees.

A girl reaches up after spotting the apple she wants at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany. Every year from the end of August to Oct. 31, Appel Happel opens its gates to visitors wanting the opportunity to pick apples and pears from the farm's trees. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

Appel Happel is a family-owned farm near Mainz, Germany, that allows customers to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears.

Appel Happel is a family-owned farm near Mainz, Germany, that allows customers to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

Customers enjoy the atmosphere while taking a break in apple-themed chairs at the Appel Happel farm.  On certain days, special events take place or the farm offers cake and coffee.

Customers enjoy the atmosphere while taking a break in apple-themed chairs at the Appel Happel farm. On certain days, special events take place or the farm offers cake and coffee. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

A bee is caught enjoying the fresh fruit at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany.

A bee is caught enjoying the fresh fruit at the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

Sausage, cake and apple juice is sometimes offered outside the farm store at Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany, for customers to enjoy.

Sausage, cake and apple juice is sometimes offered outside the farm store at Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany, for customers to enjoy. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

Wheelbarrows line the fence of the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany. There is no charge to use the farm's wheelbarrows.

Wheelbarrows line the fence of the Appel Happel farm near Mainz, Germany. There is no charge to use the farm's wheelbarrows. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

Every year from the end of August to the end of October, Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany, opens its gates to visitors wanting the opportunity to pick apples and pears fresh from the farm's trees. You can bring your own bag to carry what you pick or use one of the farm's wheelbarrows or boxes at no charge.

Every year from the end of August to the end of October, Appel Happel near Mainz, Germany, opens its gates to visitors wanting the opportunity to pick apples and pears fresh from the farm's trees. You can bring your own bag to carry what you pick or use one of the farm's wheelbarrows or boxes at no charge. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

An oversized apple directs guests to the Appel Happel orchards near Mainz, Germany, where they can pick their own apples and pears. The prices for picking your own apples and pears start at 1.20 euros for a kilogram.

An oversized apple directs guests to the Appel Happel orchards near Mainz, Germany, where they can pick their own apples and pears. The prices for picking your own apples and pears start at 1.20 euros for a kilogram. (Mark Patton/Stars and Stripes)

One of my fondest childhood memories is spending fall afternoons picking apples at my grandmother’s farm in Virginia. After spending a day at some orchards near Mainz, Germany, I discovered it’s just as much fun as an adult.

Appel Happel is a family-owned farm that allows you to grab a wheelbarrow and spend some time strolling through its orchards to pick apples and pears to either enjoy on the spot or to take home.

Every year from the end of August to Oct. 31, Appel Happel opens its gates to visitors wanting the opportunity to pick fruit from the farm’s trees.

You can take your own bag to stash what you pick (the farm store can weigh your empty bag before you start picking since you will be charged by the weight) or use one of the farm’s wheelbarrows or boxes at no charge.

Before heading into the rows of trees, stop at the information board at the entrance. It shows the rows of apples that are ripe to pick and tells the taste characteristics of each type. Just keep in mind the German words for ripe (reif), sweet (süss) and sour (sauer) and you should be good to go.

Also set up outside the farm store next to the orchards is a table that allows you to taste the varieties of apples that are currently ripe. I was glad this was available, because I never realized how many types and tastes there are.

After setting my sights on the Cox’s Orange apple (sweet and sour) and the Birnen pears, I set out into the orchards. There are signs at the entrance to each row, telling you what types are there and when they should be ripe.

I spent a couple of hours relaxing and strolling through the rows, taking in the scenery and occasionally reaching up for that “perfect” piece of fruit.

“These apples taste better than ones from the store, and I like picking them ourselves,” said Mainz resident Julia Zeise, who visited with her husband and two children. “For the children, it’s nice to see where the apples grow.”

Appel Happel is designed with families in mind. There is a child-size trampoline outside the orchards and a picnic area where families can watch the children play while enjoying some fresh fruit or the farm’s delicious apple juice.

You definitely don’t want to leave before trying the apple juice. Each batch tastes different, depending on what type of apples are used. I couldn’t believe how good it was, like putting a straw right into an apple.

Mondays to Saturdays, you can get a taste of the farm’s juice for free. It’s the customers’ “salary” for picking the apples themselves, joked Ilonka Happel, who along with husband Stephen owns the farm.

Happel said she thinks part of the farm’s appeal is the recent trend of people wanting to eat more healthily.

“The whole organic thing has taken over, especially in recent years where the grocery stores have been selling some bad stuff,” she said.

The farm store is open all year and features fresh fruit from the farm along with homemade jams and jellies, fruit wine, apple cider, honey and much more.

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