Rob Reynolds isnB次元官网网址檛 above stopping the car and knocking on a strangerB次元官网网址檚 door for a tree laden with apples.

B次元官网网址淲e find trees all over the city. There are a lot in Oak Bay. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of what used to be orchards,B次元官网网址� said Reynolds, who grew up in and still works in the municipality.

HeB次元官网网址檚 part of the Greater Victoria Cider Enthusiasts Association, which boasts a Facebook membership of more than 90, that scours the south Island in search of apples that would otherwise go to waste.

The enthusiasts formed three years ago, after meeting each other through the local home brewing community. A group from BrewVic sought to explore beyond beer into ciders and wines. Also, a contingent of ex-pat Brits were desperate to find a dry, less sweet cider than the staple readily available.

B次元官网网址淚 fell in love with cider when I lived in the West Country in the U.K.,B次元官网网址� said Kalynka Cherkosh of Esquimalt.

Here, she found, she couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford the good stuff on a regular basis and decided to take control of the situation.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to make a nice meaty, drier farmhouse cider,B次元官网网址� she said. Cherkosh made a few hundred litres that year and held a wassail in late winter to celebrate B次元官网网址� a tradition they continue three years in. B次元官网网址淚t just seems every year weB次元官网网址檝e organized a bit more,B次元官网网址� she added.

Now they hand out the leaflets and seek out abandoned trees. A common theme for the older generation is a hatred of waste. Where an older homeowner used to pick and preserve each fall, they simply donB次元官网网址檛 have the ability anymore and want to see it put to use. TheyB次元官网网址檒l pick the apples, or in some cases pears, and leave as much as the household can utilize, Reynolds said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to turn fallen fruit into caught fruit,B次元官网网址� Cherkosh said.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so much fruit in this city that just falls to the ground,B次元官网网址� she said, adding sheB次元官网网址檇 far rather do the work to capture, process and enjoy the fruits of that labour, than see it rotting on the ground, attracting deer and wasps.

Then the Cider Enthusiasts benefit with good local product as opposed to being stuck using ready-made juice for their cider making.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the difference between Wonder Bread and a beautiful loaf of bread from Fol Epi,B次元官网网址� Cherkosh said. B次元官网网址淪ometimes I want a fluffy white bread, but not every day.B次元官网网址�

To offer apples for the Greater Victoria Cider Enthusiasts Association email gruitmama@gmail.com.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com