U-Pick Phil's

Phl Rymsha, owner of U-Pick Phil's in Harvard, makes cider the old-fashioned way: by hand. Rymsha collects the fresh "drops" (apples fallen from the trees) to make his cider. You can watch the process, help him, and then buy some. After they are washed, the apples are ground twice and placed in a small, 10-layer stainless steel press that holds a half-bushel on each layer. When Rymsha pumps a pedal, the trays compress and the juice flows into stainless steel buckets. Then the cider is strained and bottled ($6 for a gallon; $4 for a half-gallon; $2 for a quart). Customers are welcome to help Rymsha and his wife, Barb, work the pedal on weekends and holidays. -- Linda J. Mazurek, Globe Correspondent