Every autumn has its share of little pleasures, but this year once again we were treated to a particularly tasty moment: the harvesting of apples from our three apple trees. Modest in number, but generous in fruit, these orchard trees gave us no less than 260 kilos of apples. With the invaluable help of our son Hugo, we undertook this simple yet deeply nourishing task.
Under the mild skies of Brittany, the 20kg nets were filled one by one. The rustling of the leaves, the sweet scent of ripe fruit and the leisurely rhythm of picking and climbing the trees made the day a timeless interlude. There’s something ancestral about this ritual: a discreet but powerful link with the earth, a way of reconnecting with what nature has to offer when you know how to welcome it with patience and gratitude.
260 kilos of fruit, and a great adventure
Once the apples had been picked, the next step was to transform this treasure into a juice that matched their flavour. The idea was not to keep them just for ourselves, but to share them with our guests over breakfast. After all, what could be simpler and more authentic than starting the day with a glass of homemade apple juice, straight from the orchard you can see from your bedroom windows?
To do this, we entrusted our harvest to the Pressi-Mobile workshop in Carhaix. Their traditional know-how fits in perfectly with our philosophy: respect for the fruit, transparency in the process and guaranteed quality.
From fruit to juice: a meticulous process
Each apple is vigorously washed to preserve the purity of the juice. Then comes the pressing stage, the heart of the transformation. Watching the flesh of the apples turn into a golden, fragrant liquid is always a magical experience.
The resulting juice is not left to chance. It is pasteurised at nearly 80 degrees, a step that guarantees its preservation without altering its natural flavour. Finally, it is vacuum-packed in containers that preserve all its freshness and allow it to be enjoyed for many months. The result is 162 litres of sweet, fruity, slightly tart apple juice, a faithful reflection of our orchard and the season.
A promise for breakfast
We wanted to make this juice an integral part of the experience we offer our guests. From now on, every morning, on the breakfast table, you’ll find a jug of our homemade apple juice. Served fresh, it’s the perfect accompaniment to our homemade bread, jams and other delicacies that we prepare for you with care.
We like the idea that this glass of juice tells a story: the story of my grandfather’s trees and those we’ve planted since our return to France, of our picking, of that beautiful day we shared with Hugo, and of the journey we’ve made to your table. It’s not just a drink, but a fragment of our daily lives, offered with simplicity.
A taste of authenticity
Our three apple orchards are not large commercial orchards, but they do bear witness to the very best that Brittany has to offer: a generous nature, straightforward flavours and the joy of passing on a little of its terroir. Every glass of apple juice you taste at Kerbeleg will also be an opportunity to honour this nature, and to extend the conviviality that is so dear to our hearts in our guest house.
We hope that this juice will become a morning ritual for you. Perhaps it will even awaken memories: of apples from your grandparents’ garden, of a childhood orchard, or of an autumn spent picking fruit in the countryside, and why not simply, one day, the memory of a stay with us.
At Kerbeleg, it’s simply a sign of welcome, a gentle, natural way to start your Breton day.
