A Sweet Day Trip to Puslinch
Tigchelaar Farm Market and Apple Orchard
Where to find Tigchelaar Farm Market?
Just a stone’s throw from the city of Guelph, the rural charm of Puslinch, Ontario, offers a serene escape into nature’s embrace. A weekend drive through the winding country roads flanked by lush, picturesque farms, where time seems to slow down, invites you to savour every moment.
Whether exploring the tranquil hiking trails of the Starkey Hill loop, marvelling at the historical architecture, or spending a delightful afternoon at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, Puslinch promises a tapestry of experiences that blend rustic beauty with heartfelt community spirit. This hidden gem is perfect for those day trip outings when you are seeking a peaceful retreat where the simple pleasures of rural life await at every turn.
Butter Tart Quest
During the past few years, on our many drives to nearby hiking spots like Mountsberg Conservation Area and Crawford Lake, we often passed signs declaring “Butter Tarts & Coffee market & roastery ahead” as we drove the country roads in the area. Due to the days and timing of our visits, as well as other commitments, stopping in just never worked out. We knew we had to make a plan to visit here for our Butter Tart Quest.
Tigchelaar Farm Market is only open on Fridays from 8 am to 12 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm.
Visit more Guelph area Butter Tart Quest destinations
What to Expect at Tigchelaar Farm Market
Tigchelaar Farm Market, in Puslinch, Ontario, is a delightful spot for fresh, local produce and baked goods. The small market offers a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally made honey, soaps and more. Visitors can also enjoy freshly baked treats, including butter tarts, apple turnovers, and specialty coffee roasted on-site. It’s a perfect day trip destination for those looking to experience the bounty of local agriculture in a picturesque rural setting.
Once you arrive, you will spot their two cabins – one for coffee and one for pastries. The first cabin is for the coffee. Their coffee is freshly brewed —a delicious Nicaraguan coffee roasted on-site and described by staff as “better than organic.” Quite frankly, I was not optimistic that it would be good. I expected a poor swill, but I was pleasantly surprised at its flavourful and deliciousness. It is smooth and does not even have a hint of bitterness – and it is served very hot. It is a very delicious coffee, worthy of savouring with your pastry.
The second cabin is where you will find their selection of various pastry options. They offer scones—rhubarb/strawberry & blueberry, apple turnovers, custard tarts with blueberry, strawberry, etc., and Butter Tarts – plain, pecan, and raisin.
The Setting at Tigchelaar Farm Market
Tigchellar Farm Market is a lovely farm located on a peaceful country road. It offers many seating areas, bistro tables, and picnic tables, all set amongst the trees on the farm with firepits and flowering plants. Grab your coffee, then head to the pastry cabin and order your pastries. Enjoy them with your partner in a relaxing environment, chat with the other guests, and engage with the farm dogs that wander around acting as greeters.
We arrived after 2 p.m., and although we were worried that they’d be sold out, they still had plenty of treats on hand. The apple turnover was fresh and hot. It was a delicious little fried hand pie. The apple pie flavour was perfect, and the filling was packed tight with real apples, not canned pie filling like others. They are an Apple Orchard, after all, so they know their apples.
Butter tarts at Tigchelaar Farm Market
Appearance:
Hand-crafted tarts—each is unique in appearance. Some have thicker crusts, and others have more filling. These are definitely handmade—with hand-pressed pastry. Some are darker than others, with the filling boiling over the pastry during the baking process on occasion—but this creates a lovely little caramelization and toffee-like candy chew on top.
Pastry:
This is a very traditional pastry for a butter tart, with no real surprise. The crust is flaky and buttery, well baked. The pastry is thick enough to hold the filling nicely without being too dense to create too much crust. It has a nice crunchy and chewy texture, which gives it an excellent mouthfeel.
Filling:
The filling is nice and buttery, with a bit of an ooze factor. However, it is not drippy but still a bit soft. It is going to be easy to eat your butter tart with your coffee on the farm or on the go. The pastry can be sticky when held, so have napkins and wet wipes on hand.
The pecan tarts each contain about 2 or 3 pecan halves, and the raisin tarts each contain a few raisins.
Crust-to-filling ratio:
These are very much hand-made butter tarts, and with that comes variation. Some of the tarts have plenty of filling, while some have had their filling boil over a bit, leaving them with less filling in the end result. However, on average, the ratio is still really good.
Overall experience:
These are delicious, sweet butter tarts with excellent flavours. The crystallization of the filling on the pastry gives them a little something special. The crunchy/chewy caramel on top adds a little something extra.
Transportability
Nothing will beat enjoying your butter tart and coffee fresh in the peaceful setting of Tigchelaar Farms. With three different flavours of butter tarts to choose from, you may wish to take some home with you to enjoy all flavours later. They pack their tarts to-go in simple cardboard boxes, but they will hold up to transport nicely. The pastry is solid and doesn’t break apart when you drive around. These are also excellent tarts to enjoy on the go. The pasty holds up nicely without crumbling, and the filling does not ooze down your elbow or over your steering wheel.
This quaint little coffee shop is a unique place to enjoy a nice midday break. It’s a great spot to catch up with friends or go on a date. The market offers additional items at different times of year, such as pumpkins, farm-made cider, honey, and other handmade items. The café at Tigchelaar Farm Market in Puslinch is a cozy spot that perfectly complements the market’s rustic charm. The café’s inviting atmosphere and the aroma of fresh coffee and baked treats create a warm and welcoming experience for all who visit.
The orchard offers a wide variety of apples, including Gala, Courtland, Honey Crisp, and more, as well as press their own fresh cider.
Tigchelaar Farm Market is located at 268 Flamborough-Puslinch Townline, RR 1 , and can be found on a day trip to Puslinch, ON.
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