Blackman Homestead Farm - 3 Reviews

It's 1920. You are eighteen, just graduated from high school and have your whole life ahead of you. You put on your hat, suit, and nice shoes and head to the market. You get some soap, fresh fruits and vegetables, and some meat for supper. Supper is what they called "dinner" in those days. You've got to check on the status of your car so you head to the mechanic across the street. It's dusty today. Your new dark gray slacks are taking a hit. Mother will be very upset that she's going to have to clean them. It's not your fault. If they would only cover the street with something everyone's pants wouldn't get all muddy. After all, that's how you lost a tire. After that big rain, holes and mud was everywhere and essentially stole the tire right off your car.

The mechanic is sitting down, covered in dust, dirt, oil, and grease. He's drinking something but you can't tell what it is from across the street. You walk up to him and ask how your car is. He tells you that you just needed a new axle and it was done. You looked at his drink and it was one of those new Blackman juices everyone has been talking about. You asked the mechanic where he got it because you were finally going to get one. He said that the market you just came from had them but they were in the back so you probably didn't see them. You paid the man, threw your groceries in you newly fixed car, and headed back towards the market. You finally found the juice after having to ask two different associates where they were. You decided on the pear apple juice since you love both of those fruits. You pay the cashier, head outside, and sit in your car. You open up the bottle and take a sip. "Ahhhhh" you say. It's a fifty-fifty split between your favorite hand fruits. Naturally sweetened by apples, tasting like apples, and tasting like pears all at the same time. Now you know what everyone was talking about. Blackman has done it again. You're going to have to do an extra good job at shining his shoes next time he sees you. He deserves it after this concoction.

You get in your car, tip you hat to the mechanic who fixed your car, and headed to your job as a shoesmith for wingtips and loafers for the rest of the day. If it's not too late, maybe you'll try your luck at some of the other flavors the market's got.

Since Bob went away to school he constantly complains about juice. Whenever he bought some from the store it was always too sweet, and it hardly tasted like the fruits it was supposed to. It was far too processed. He was accustomed to walking around his families farm and plucking fruit right from the trees whenever he felt a pang of hunger. Also his uncles constantly made the best juices he had ever had. He missed those days, and was sick of his studies. He was just about to pack it in and move back to the farm when he got a package from his brother Walter. Enclosed was a mess of bottles of Walter's new juice blend. Two ingredients. Two wonderful ingredients. Apple juice and tart cherry juice were all that Walter put in those bottles. It doesn't need a single thing else and Water was smart enough to realize that. No sugar. No preservatives. All the world needs is pure juice. It tastes exactly like fresh fruit. Why would anyone want anything else? Bob certainly didn't, so he went on to get his degree in paranormal psychology.

It's a wonderful thing when you find local drinks that you didn't know exist. I especially love when I find local juices. My ladyfriend picked this up for me at a farmers market and it's incredible. It is made in Lockport, NY and the only ingredients are local grapes and apples, both of which grow in abundance around here. No sugar, no preservatives, just fresh fruit. I love it. It's possibly the best grape juice I have ever had. The apple sweetens it up a bit so it's not very tart, but the strong flavor of the concord grapes greets your tongue with every sip.

If you're ever in the area and you come across this, I can't urge you enough to pick up a bottle. According to their website Blackman also makes a cider in the autumn that I can't wait to try.