Locals Swear The Aplets And Cotlets At This Cashmere Candy Kitchen Taste Like Washington History

Some candies end up in lunch boxes, but a few end up in family stories that last for generations. In the small town of Cashmere, Washington, one fruit company has made Aplets and Cotlets for so long that many families treat a box as a holiday tradition.

People remember seeing these candies on a grandmother’s coffee table at Christmas and still order them decades later. Keep reading to learn where this candy maker sits, what makes its treats so loved, and what to know before you place an order or plan a weekday stop.

A Candy Address on Mission Avenue

Small towns rarely shout about their claims to fame, and Cashmere is no exception. Its best-known candy maker sits quietly on a working street instead of a flashy tourist strip.

That company is Liberty Orchards Co., found at 309 Mission Ave, Cashmere, WA 98815, in the United States. Cashmere lies in central Washington, a region long tied to fruit and orchards.

On paper, the business is listed as a fruit wholesaler. That label sounds a bit dry for a company whose name comes up whenever Washingtonians talk about Aplets and Cotlets.

The listing tells an important story, though. Liberty Orchards is not just a gift shop that happens to sell candy.

It is an operating business with a warehouse, a loading dock, and a shipping team that sends orders far beyond Chelan County.

People who show up expecting a theme park will find a real workplace instead. Trucks come and go, staff handle orders, and boxes of fruit candy head out to customers in other states.

For candy fans, that is part of the charm. The treats they grew up with come from an actual building on an actual street in a small Washington town.

Next up is the question most newcomers ask first: what exactly are Aplets and Cotlets?

What Hides Behind Those Funny Names

Two made-up words have done a lot of heavy lifting for Cashmere over the years. Aplets and Cotlets are the signature fruit candies of Liberty Orchards, and their names give a hint about what goes into them.

The Aplet name points to apples, a fitting choice for a company in Washington orchard country. Cotlets nod to apricots, another fruit with deep roots in the region.

Fans often compare the candies to Turkish delight. One longtime fan who grew up in England says the treats bring back memories of that favorite childhood confection.

That comparison helps explain the appeal. The candies feel familiar to people from different backgrounds, yet they carry a clear Washington identity through their fruit.

The company does not stop at those two names, either. Its lineup includes a range of candies and treats, and customers mention excellent choices across the catalog.

Still, Aplets and Cotlets remain the headliners. When locals say the candy tastes like Washington history, these are the boxes they mean.

So how did a pair of fruit candies earn a place in so many family traditions? The answer shows up at holiday time, year after year.

Fifty Years on the Coffee Table

Ask a lifelong Washingtonian about Aplets and Cotlets, and there is a good chance a grandparent enters the story. These candies have a way of turning into family heirlooms you can eat.

One fan remembers a Nana who kept them on her coffee table every Christmas. Those holiday visits became cherished memories tied directly to the candy.

Another customer has been eating Aplets and Cotlets for more than 50 years. A different fan counts over 30 years of enjoying the company’s products.

Numbers like that are not common in the snack world. Plenty of brands come and go, but very few stay with the same families across half a century.

That kind of loyalty explains the title of this article. For many locals, the candy is not just a treat.

It is a link to childhood homes, holiday gatherings, and relatives who are no longer at the table.

Some fans describe the company as one that cares and puts that care into its candies. That trust is built slowly, box by box.

Loyal customers also hold the company to high standards. As later sections show, they speak up quickly when something changes.

Holiday Gifts That Travel Well Beyond Cashmere

December is when a lot of households suddenly remember Liberty Orchards exists. Holiday gift orders are a big part of what keeps the phones and website busy.

One customer ordered a little something for family at Christmas and came away impressed. The website felt extremely user friendly, and the customer service team was quick to respond.

The treats themselves earned high marks too, which is the whole point of a gift box. Nobody wants to send relatives something forgettable.

Shipping comes up often when people talk about this company. For fans who moved away from Washington, ordering online is the easiest way to keep a family tradition alive from another state.

That also makes these candies a handy gift for friends who have never heard of Cashmere. A box offers a small piece of Washington with a story attached.

A word of caution for last-minute shoppers, though. Popular items can sell out during peak season, so placing orders early is a smart move.

Holiday shoppers are not the only ones buying in quantity. Some customers order enough candy to feed a whole convention hall.

Bulk Orders for Big Gatherings

Here is a fun one: Washington fruit candy has made its way to a Daughters of Norway convention in Reno, Nevada. A customer placed a large treat order specifically to share with the group.

The staff member who handled that order was described as friendly, competent, and easy to work with. Even better, the shipment arrived in plenty of time for the event.

That kind of story shows another side of Liberty Orchards. It is not only a place for single gift boxes but also a supplier for groups that want to hand out treats by the dozen.

Organizations have used the company for regular orders too. A veterans training group once ordered from Liberty Orchards as part of a yearly routine.

For event planners, the appeal is simple. The candies come with a recognizable name, a regional backstory, and packaging that works for sharing.

Planning ahead matters with large orders, though. Calling or ordering well before the event date gives the team time to fill the request and ship it.

Candy is the star, but it is not the only thing on the shelves. The catalog holds a surprise or two for curious shoppers.

Beyond Candy: A Fruit Wholesaler’s Pantry

Not everyone finds Liberty Orchards through Aplets and Cotlets. At least one shopper discovered the company while hunting for quality canned pineapple chunks.

That detail makes sense once you remember the business is listed as a fruit wholesaler. Candy may get the headlines, but the company carries many other products as well.

The pineapple buyer ordered 15 cans and found the quality of the fruit excellent. Freshness, texture, and overall quality all got top marks.

Customers also point to excellent choices and great prices across the product lineup. That combination keeps some shoppers coming back for more than just holiday candy.

A tip from that pineapple order is worth passing along. The customer noticed a full 24-can case inside the shipment and felt that ordering the whole case might have held up better in transit.

So shoppers buying canned goods may want to consider full cases over odd quantities. It is a small choice that could help the order arrive in better shape.

Of course, packaging is a topic with a lot more to it. Longtime fans have strong opinions about how their favorite candy is boxed these days.

The Great Box Debate

Change is hard, especially when it involves a candy someone has loved for half a century. Recent packaging updates have sparked real frustration among some loyal fans.

One customer with more than 50 years of history with Aplets and Cotlets called the new packaging a major downgrade. The complaint centers on a flimsy fold-up cardboard box that is not airtight.

According to that longtime fan, the candy dries out within days in the new box. The older packaging kept it fresh much longer.

That customer plans to hold off on buying again until the packaging improves. It is a tough message for a company built on generations of loyalty.

Shipping has drawn a separate complaint. A canned pineapple order arrived with all 15 cans dented, packed in a box roughly three times larger than needed.

These issues do not erase decades of goodwill, but they are worth knowing about. A practical approach is to store opened candy in an airtight container at home.

For gift orders, it may also help to ask about packing options before checkout. Loyal customers clearly care, and their feedback is a sign of how much this candy still matters to them.

One Dock, Right-Hand Corner

Truck drivers have their own take on this candy company, and it is refreshingly practical. Liberty Orchards runs a real warehouse, and freight carriers deliver and pick up pallets there.

Drivers describe the facility as not too busy, with only one dock. That dock sits on the right-hand side corner once you arrive, a handy tip for first-time haulers.

Loading moves quickly. One driver got loaded very fast and found the people nice to deal with.

Another driver dropped off six pallets and was in and out in short order thanks to a helpful warehouse worker. Quick turnarounds matter a lot to someone on a tight delivery schedule.

Overnight parking is not available at the facility itself, based on driver tips. There is a gas station down the street that drivers use for overnight parking instead.

This side of the business rarely makes it into candy stories. Yet it is a big part of how Aplets and Cotlets get from a small Cashmere building to homes across the country.

Getting candy out the door is one challenge. Getting orders in smoothly is another, and that is where things can get a little bumpy.

Phone Lines, Websites, and Sold-Out Screens

Most Liberty Orchards orders begin with a click or a phone call. The company website, libertyorchards.com, is the main hub for browsing and buying.

Experiences with ordering vary. One holiday shopper found the website extremely user friendly and the customer service team very responsive.

Another longtime customer had a rougher time. After about 30 minutes on hold on the toll-free line, that customer gave up and tried the website.

Repeated login attempts followed, and then the product page showed the item as sold out. That group ended up moving its business to another supplier.

The takeaway is not to avoid ordering. It is to order early, especially before the holidays when demand spikes and popular items can disappear.

Staff interactions also get mixed comments over the years. Many customers call the team friendly and easy to work with, while at least one past customer had an unpleasant experience with an employee.

Patience and planning help. Setting up an account ahead of time and shopping before the rush can save a lot of frustration.

Some people would rather skip screens entirely and head to Cashmere in person. Timing that trip takes a little planning too.

Weekday Hours and Who Should Stop By

Weekend road-trippers, take note. Liberty Orchards keeps a strict weekday schedule.

The company is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

That schedule reflects its role as a working business with a warehouse and shipping operation. Anyone planning a trip should aim for a weekday and arrive well before the 4 PM close.

Calling ahead or checking the website before driving over is a smart idea. It helps confirm what is available and avoids surprises.

So who gets the most out of this spot? Longtime fans of Aplets and Cotlets top the list, especially those who grew up with the candy at family holidays.

Gift shoppers looking for something with Washington roots will also find plenty here. So will groups planning events and in need of treats in bulk.

Travelers passing through central Washington may enjoy the chance to see where a regional classic comes from. It is a small, low-key stop rather than a full-day attraction.

Freight drivers, meanwhile, already know the drill. One dock, quick loading, and a gas station nearby for the night.

With the logistics sorted, one question remains: is it worth the effort?

A Soft Verdict on a Washington Classic

Few candies can claim a spot in so many family memories. Aplets and Cotlets have done exactly that for generations of Washingtonians.

Liberty Orchards has plenty going for it. Customers praise its quality candies, broad product choices, fair prices, and helpful staff on large and small orders.

The company has also kept loyal fans for 30, 40, and even 50 years. That kind of staying power is rare in any industry.

It is not perfect, and honest fans say so. Packaging changes, shipping mishaps, and ordering hiccups during busy seasons have left some customers unhappy.

Those complaints come mostly from people who care deeply about the candy. Their frustration shows how much the brand means to them.

For a first-time buyer, the best plan is simple. Order early, store the candy in an airtight container once opened, and consider full cases for canned goods.

For anyone visiting in person, remember the weekday-only hours and the modest, working setting. This is a real business in a small town, not a flashy destination.

Still, there is something special about a box of fruit candy tied to one small Washington community. Plenty of locals would say one box is all it takes to understand why the tradition keeps going.