The apple fritters from Lattin's Country Cider Mill and Farm are renowned throughout Thurston County for their fresh, hot-from-the-fryer yumminess. Now they can add Ice Chips' Flavor of Thurston County to their fame.

Recently, the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitors and Convention Bureau went through a rebranding process. They partnered with the famous grannies at Ice Chips to come up with flavors that represented the region. The three finalists were coffee rain, artesian rain and apple fritter. The public was asked to vote, and the winning flavor was apple fritter.

"The Ice Chip flavor representing Thurston County was inspired by the apple fritters from Lattin's Farm and the Thurston County Bountiful Byway," said Moira Davin, director of marketing and communications, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitors and Convention Bureau.

It's no surprise to Carolyn Lattin, the 85-year-old farm owner and Thurston County treasure.

"We sold sixty-three thousand fritters in 2016. On weekdays, we sell five hundred to six hundred, and weekends around three thousand," she said.

According to Lattin, the idea for the fritters came from the fellow who sold spices to Ralph's Thriftway.  He came out and showed her the recipe and how to make them. The rest is history.

Carolyn and her husband Victor (who passed away in 2002) purchased the farm in 1956. They started off raising chickens and cattle and then moved to vegetables. Once they purchased a hand press for apples, things really took off.  

"We charged people one dollar to press their apples and put the juice in a jug.  People loved it because they could freeze it and have fresh apple juice for their children all winter long," she said.

The farm is now a full-time business, which Carolyn runs with her two daughters, Debbie and Sherrie. They now have a bakery making fresh fruit pies, doughnuts and two fryers to keep up with the apple fritter demand. In addition to the farm-fresh cider, Lattin's produces a variety of products made from Washington state produce.  

"I'm not doing this beyond one hundred," said Carolyn, who works seven days a week and credits the guy upstairs for all her success. "It's work, but it's been fun, all kinds of hugs.  Not a day goes by that I don't get twenty hugs," she added. "I am so loved."

Families love coming out to the farm.  Purchase a bag of food at the store and then go visit and feed the baby animals. There are goats, chickens, roosters, pigs, calves, bunnies, lambs and peacocks.

Lattin's Cider can also be found at Costco and at the commissaries on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Insider Tip: Fresh hot apple fritters are only available Thursdays-Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon.  

Lattin's County Cider Mill and Farm, open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 9402 Rich Rd. SE, Olympia; 360.491.7328; lattinscider.com