A long dry spell this summer had Shelton’s Farm Market partner Joe Shelton a bit concerned that some of the apple trees on the 70 acres of farm in Berrien Center might be compromised. Over the summer, several of the newly planted trees withered under an unforgiving sun.

“It’s one thing to lose one year’s crop. It’s another thing to lose a tree that takes six years to get into full production,” Shelton said.

Hope for many growers came when mid-August rains brought relief across southwest Michigan. According to the U.S. Apple Association, Michigan is the third largest producer of apples in the United States and this year’s crop was anticipated to bring in a record 31 million bushels, despite dry conditions.

For the Sheltons, while the crop was not quite a record, yield was very good. With 35 varieties of apples grown that yield during various times of the year as late as November, Shelton said the farm market and wholesale company is looking at bringing in 40 to 60,000 bushels of apples in for the year of 2016. The crop is especially good in comparison to last year’s apple harvest that was severely impacted by hailstorms.

“It’s good to see apples without dimples on them,” Shelton said. “The quality is excellent. The yield is very good, so we are expecting a very good year.”

The apple varieties can be found on the shelves at Shelton’s Farm Market, 1832 11th St. in Niles. This year, the dusky red Gala apple, which is speckled with gold color and the crunchy green and red blended Honeycrisp have been the most popular picks and cost 79 cents a pound and $1.19 per pound for a family pack, respectively.

“Both of these are very crunchy,” Shelton said, Friday as he stood in front of one of many mounds of the apples that lined store shelves. “The Honeycrisp is unique in that it has a special bite that explodes in your mouth. It is very tasty and it has a little tang to it. The Gala is a crunchy apple and it’s very sweet, especially if you are eating out of hand it is a nearly perfect apple.”

Many customers were reaching for the fresh fruit Friday and the packed parking lot indicated the popularity of the sweet and crunchy varieties, which will soon include Granny Smith, Ida red and Jersey Mac apples.

As of Friday, cider was an additional apple product available to customers.

“It just came in this afternoon,” Shelton said.

Shelton said they have successfully been able to convert many customers who formerly were not fans of cider.

“There’s a lot of people who say they don’t like cider, because they remember getting cider out of the store and it is sour and not very tasteful,” Shelton said. “But then they will try out cider and say ‘that’s the way cider is supposed to taste.”

The secret is finding the right blend of apples with complementary flavors that create a full-bodied taste that is both sweet and tangy.

“We always use a blend of three different apples: a tart, a sweet and something in between,” Shelton said. “We use a lot of complex flavors.”

Through sampling, Shelton said they have changed many customers’ opinions on the fall drink.

“It’s a lot of fun, especially to win over the people that said they don’t like it (cider),” Shelton said.