Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Tastee Apple’

Tastee Apple Celebrates 50th Anniversary

America’s Favorite Caramel Apple

Tastee Apple is located on the banks of the Tuscarawas River in Newcomerstown.

Tastee Apple has been making caramel and chocolate apples since 1974. That’s 50 years of delicious apples being made locally in the small, historic village of Newcomerstown, Ohio at a family owned and operated business started by John Hackenbracht and his son, Greg.

Hackenbracht Orchard was the beginning of it all. John not only owned the orchard but from 1958 to 1976 was manager of the Ohio Fruit Growers so was quite familiar with apples. Son Greg grew up surrounded by 4,000 apple and peach trees so he lived, breathed, and ate fruit growing up. He smiles when recalling, “I always knew what a good apple was supposed to be.”

The seed for a caramel apple business was planted in the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until Greg graduated from high school in 1973 that the idea seriously took root. Very few jobs were available at that time and college money was in short supply. John had the perfect solution!

They would start the caramel apple business they had been dreaming about. Greg could work there for six months out of the year and go to college the other six. Tastee Apple, Inc. was officially born!

A variety of Tastee Apples are displayed under their logo.

It all began with one caramel machine and Greg’s personal caramel recipe, which is still used to this day because its smooth taste can’t be beat. That’s why Tastee Apples are called America’s Favorite Caramel Apple. That first year, they made 50,000 dozen caramel apples. Today, they make 50,000 dozen in four days!

Once Greg received his Bachelor Of Science in Marketing/Marketing Management from Bowling Green State University in 1979, he joined Tastee Apple on a full-time basis. During those early years at the plant, Greg worked long hours, seven days a week. Often during the busy season, he fell asleep in a chair at the plant.

John passed away in 2007 knowing that he was leaving the continuation of his legacy in the capable hands of his son, Greg. The family hopes to continue this family tradition of quality products and working conditions for many years to come.

Chad became the president of Tastee Apple in 2022 when his dad, Greg, retired.

Today Tastee Apple continues in the capable hands of a third generation, Greg’s son Chad, who carries on the family tradition after Greg’s retirement in 2022. Prior to returning to the business, Chad enjoyed racing and was a NASCAR champion.

Before returning to Tastee Apple, Chad enjoyed the life of a NASCAR champion.

Today Tastee Apple has 15 full-time employees working all year. However, during the busy apple season from August – October, they employ from 100-160. They treat everyone with kindness, just like they would like to be treated.

Over the last 40 years, Tastee has sold over 250,000,000 apples with candy, chocolate, caramel, and other toppings. This is the only company in the industry certified by the Safe Quality Food Institute. All their apples go through a unique, seven-step rating process to guarantee the quality and freshness of the fruit.

Their dark chocolate, peppermint Gourmet Apple is very popular.

Then perfectly ripe apples are ‘sticked’ and dipped in made from scratch, small batch, kettle cooked caramel or a candy coating. Once cool, they are rolled in gooey toppings like milk, dark, or white chocolate, and then rolled in peanuts, pecans, cookies, or pretzels. The apples are then carefully packaged, stored, and shipped to stores throughout the United States.

Tastee Apple was displayed at the Big Apple in Times Square.

The East Coast is a popular area for their Tastee Apples and New York City has long been a big supporter. Locally, their apples can be found at Walmart and Myers. They also make them for Giant Eagle under a private label.

The Hackenbracht family likes to try new things and over the years have made apple chips, potato chips, sweet potato chips, popcorn balls, and even apple cider. But the Caramel Apple has stood the test of time as a favorite. They have seen a large increase in requests for their Gourmet Apples.

A newer addition this year is Apple Pops, a smaller covered apple.

Every year they come up with some new ideas for their delicious apple treats. This year they have designed Apple Pops, which are just the right size to be convenient for a snack and they are themed for every holiday. A Mystery Box has also been developed that holds a variety of their popular treats.

A sign in front of the business lets locals know when seconds are for sale.

Tastee Apple sells apples with caramel, candy, chocolate, and other toppings. No apple gets the Tastee label unless it is perfect. Those that don’t meet their standards are sold at the plant as “seconds” if the caramel doesn’t cover evenly or the stick isn’t straight!

Tastee Apple, Inc. is located at 60810 Co. Rd. 9, Newcomerstown on the banks of the Tuscarawas River. Bite into a nutritious, mouthwatering Tastee Apple soon. You might want just a slice as their gourmet apples are very large!

Having a successful Tastee Apple business for 50 years shows that the Hackenbracht family knows a good apple when they see one.

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Christmas, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Tastee Apples a Tasty Treat

Tastee Apple produces great treats in their Newcomerstown home.

The Hackenbracht family knows a good apple when they see one. At Tastee Apple, autumn is their busiest season beginning with the popular caramel apple. Using quality products produces an apple with satisfaction guaranteed. No wonder this apple business has been around for 47 years.

Since John Hackenbracht owned an orchard and managed the Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association, apples were constantly on his mind. While he had thoughts of selling caramel apples, it wasn’t until his son, Greg was graduating from high school that the business actually began. Greg would go to college six months out of the year and work at Tastee Apple, Inc. the other six.

Once Greg received his BS in Marketing from Bowling Green State University, he joined Tastee Apple on a full-time basis. Since Greg grew up on a fruit farm with 4,000 apple and peach trees, he was very familiar with fruit from childhood on and loved promoting it.

Nothing tops a Tastee Apple!

The business began with one caramel machine and a caramel recipe that Greg developed himself. They still use that original recipe from 1974 because its smooth taste can’t be beat. That’s why they’re called America’s Favorite Caramel Apples.

That first year, they made 50,000 dozen caramel apples. Today, they make 50,000 dozen apples in four days. Things are more automated now but they still employ 150 people in the plant during their peak season. They treat everyone with kindness, just as they would like to be treated.

Chad’s race car carried the Tastee Apple logo.

Over the years, John and Greg have tried various other products as well but the caramel apple has stood the test of time. From 1980-2013, they produced cider. Shortly after that they discovered a way to use the pumice left over from the apple cider. They dried and ground it into a fine powder, which was added to fruit fillings, cereal, and exotic pet food.

The Hackenbrancht family likes to try new ideas and over the years have made apple chips, potato chips, sweet potato chips, and popcorn balls. An idea for the future is chocolate bark, which has been requested by several companies already.

These Gourmet Apples make perfect gifts for the holiday season.

Tastee has sold over 250,000,000 apples with candy, chocolate, caramel, and other toppings. All the apples are chosen by a process guaranteed for quality and freshness of the fruit. Even their firmness is measured before being cleaned carefully to avoid bruising. In 2015, Greg added a special probiotic to be sprayed onto the apples after cleaning to keep them even healthier.

Times Square displayed the Tastee Apple logo.

Today, most of their apples are purchased from growers in Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. Their gourmet apples are purchased from Washington state. The farther north the apples are grown, the more firm the cellular structure, which makes for more desirable caramel apples.

Approximately 10% of the apples that come from reputable suppliers are still rejected as Tastee Apple is striving for perfection. These discarded apples are used by another company for cider or juice.

This Gourmet Chocolate Peppermint apple is a big hit during the holidays.

The perfectly-ripe apples are then “sticked” in made-from-scratch kettle-cooked caramel or a candy coating. After the apples cool, they are dressed by being rolled in toppings like varieties of chocolate or rolled in fresh peanuts, pecans, cookies, or pretzels. Currently, their triple chocolate apple is one of their best sellers. Only high quality products are used in making these apples.

You’ll find Tastee Apple fans all over the country.

No apple gets the Tastee Apple label unless it is fresh and perfect. Quality is their main concern. While the fresh apples are dipped in a generous coating of caramel or candy, the more important ingredient for the Hackenbrachts is family pride. They guarantee your satisfaction!

Their aim for perfection can be seen in what they consider “seconds.” These are apples covered in perfection but the stick was not placed in straight. They would not send these to their customers.

Chad learns the apple business from his dad, Greg Hackenbracht, president, founder, and owner.

Before long, Greg will be retiring and his son, Chad, plans to carry on the family tradition. Chad has spent the last few years of his life as a race car driver and is a NASCAR champion. Now he’s learning the fine points of the caramel apple business from his dad.

Packages of Tastee Apples can be found at Riesbeck’s and Walmarts.

Locally, Tastee Apples can be purchased from Riesbeck’s and Walmart or by ordering online at www.tasteeapple.com . They are popular all over the United States from Miami to Texas and all along the east coast. They seem to be a favorite of people in New York City.

Tastee Apple, Inc. is located at 60810 Co Rd 9, Newcomerstown on the banks of the Tuscarawas River. Bite into a nutritious, mouthwatering Tastee Apple sometime soon. You may prefer just a slice as their gourmet apples are very large!

Category:

Christmas, Farming, Ohio, Uncategorized

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