The Apple Orchard Tasting at Apple Garden Cafe is a seasonal food experience on the edge of Amasya's old town in Çakallar Mahallesi, operating at its fullest during the Misket apple harvest from August through November. Amasya is one of Turkey's most celebrated apple-producing districts; the compact, fragrant Misket variety — also known as the Amasya apple — has been cultivated in the Yeşilırmak valley for over two thousand years and holds a Turkish geographical indication designation.
The tasting session lasts 1–1.5 hours and centres on the variety of products that can be made from the Misket apple and its companion varieties including Bozkırlı and Starking. Visitors sample fresh apples at different ripeness stages alongside elmalı börek (apple-filled pastry), apple jam, apple vinegar, and apple tea. The cafe also produces a limited run of apple molasses (elma pekmezi) in season, with small jars available for purchase. During harvest months an orchard walk is included, allowing visitors to observe the picking process and learn about traditional cultivation techniques from cafe staff.
Outside the August–November peak, the cafe continues to operate and offers preserved products — jams, dried apple slices, and vinegar — year-round, but the orchard walk and fresh variety tastings are unavailable. Pricing for the tasting session runs ₺100–200 per person (approximately $2.20–4.50). The cafe can be visited without prior reservation during opening hours; for groups of five or more, enquiring via the cafe's social media or in person the day before is advisable to ensure adequate preparation.
The cafe is a short walk or taxi ride from Amasya's historic core, located in a residential neighbourhood at the base of the hillside orchards that frame the city to the south and west. Seating is available both indoors and in a garden area with views toward the orchard terraces.
What is included
- Amasya Misket apple varieties tasting
- Elmalı börek (apple pastry)
- Apple jam, apple vinegar, and apple tea sampling
- Orchard walk (seasonal)
Good to know
- Operator
- Apple Garden Cafe; enquire on-site or via the cafe's social media
Location
Cakallar Mah., 05100 Amasya, Turkey
40.6488, 35.8130 View on map
Highlights
- Fresh Misket apple tastings alongside locally produced apple jam, apple vinegar, and apple tea
- Seasonal orchard walk during August–November harvest, including observation of the traditional apple-picking process
- Elmalı börek pastry and apple molasses (elma pekmezi) made on-site with fruit from the surrounding orchards
- One of the few venues to compare multiple Amasya apple varieties — Misket, Bozkırlı, and Starking — side by side
Tips for visiting
- Visit between August and November for the full orchard walk and fresh variety tastings; outside season only preserved products are available
- Arrive in the morning for the freshest elmalı börek; the cafe can sell out by early afternoon during peak harvest weeks
- Carry ₺100–200 in cash for tasting fees, plus additional cash for jam or vinegar purchases as souvenirs
- Groups of five or more should enquire in advance via the cafe's social media or in person to ensure adequate preparation
- Apple molasses (elma pekmezi) is produced in limited quantities — purchase early in the harvest season for the best availability
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit for the widest selection of apple products?
September and early October represent the peak of the Misket apple harvest in Amasya. During this window the cafe offers fresh apple varieties, the orchard walk, seasonal baked goods, and the full preserved product range simultaneously.
Is the experience suitable for children?
The tasting is family-friendly. Children typically enjoy the apple pastry and fresh fruit elements; the orchard walk in season adds an engaging outdoor component. No age restrictions apply.
Can visitors purchase apple products to take home?
Yes, the cafe sells jars of apple jam, bottles of apple vinegar, dried apple slices, and — in limited quantities during harvest — apple molasses. Prices run approximately ₺50–150 per item depending on size and product type.
Is there English-language explanation during the tasting or orchard walk?
Cafe staff have basic conversational English. For a more detailed explanation of apple cultivation techniques, bringing a Turkish-speaking companion or a translation app is advisable. The tasting itself communicates well through sampling regardless of language.