Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Èple: It's Norwegian for 'Refreshing'
OK, it's not really. It's Norwegian for "apple" but that is just too obvious. Èple's fun fruit stand at The Original Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax is definitely not limiting itself to pedestrian fruit like apples, though. Dragonfruit, cherimoyas, and a variety of other exotic fruits are the stars of the show. And employees assure us that in spite of being owned by Pinkberry, there are no mystery ingredients -- everyday they are peeling and chopping away to use only fresh fruit in their ice-blended drinks.
The display is a riot of color, shouting, "fresh fruit! fresh fruit!" It's as if owner Pinkberry said, "Oh yeah, you doubt our ingeredients? You want to know what's in our fruit drinks? Bam! In your face!" And you know what? The fresh fruit drinks are insanely delicious, as if flavor was a by-product of making Pinkberry and they had to find somewhere to put it. The honeydew and mint drink wakes your sleepy tastebuds right up to summer. Èple's juices and blended drinks include Cherimoya, Blood orange, Starfruit, Peach and mint, Apple and ginger, strawberry and banana, and kiwi.
Other offerings at the fruit stand include fruit-flavored honeys, grapefruit jell-o, and an unusual sandwich made with whipped cream and sliced fruit that one would expect to find in Little Tokyo. The drinks are a little pricy, but so worth it. Being neighbor to the beast, some foodies are raising a critical eyebrow at the place. This is the very first Èple stand, so only time will tell.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.