It wasn’t until 2014 that BC Tree Fruits decided to try their hand at making a cider out of their delicious fruit, but it’s a natural fit for the company.
“BC Tree Fruits decided they wanted to do something with the fruit that wasn't being sent to the super markets,” said Suzanne Chorney who’s responsible for inside sales at BC Tree Fruit Cider Company.
“The export and sales of fruit is the most important job for the BC Tree Fruits Co-op, but they have a lot of fruit that isn't being used because it simply wasn't pretty enough to be sold in grocery stores or sent to market.”
Just because a piece of fruit isn’t pretty enough to be picked out of a bin at the supermarket doesn’t mean it can’t be turned into delicious natural cider.
“Some people may come in here with the misconception that we use the fruit that falls on the ground, but that’s not true,” explained Chorney.
“We just use fruit that for lack of a better word isn't pretty enough to sell to the market, fruit with bruises or blemishes isn’t good for sale but it’s still tasty!”
Every piece of fruit used in BC Tree Fruits products is grown by the Okanagan agricultural community, making the ciders 100% fruit and 100% local.
Okanagan apples, peaches, pears and crabapples all go into making BC Tree Fruits popular Broken Ladder ciders and the name reflects the commitment to local goods.
“The name broken ladder is a tribute to our growers,” said Chorney.
“If you think about all these orchardists and how many ladders they have broken over the co-operatives 85 year history it’s a fitting name.”
BC Tree Fruits Cider certainly does come with a rich Okanagan based history. The BC Tree Fruits Co-operative is the largest tree fruit co-operative in Canada, with almost 500 families that belong to the co-op and grow tree fruits throughout the Okanagan.
“The co-op is about community and craft brewing to us also means community,” said Chorney.
“It means all of our ciders are 100% fruit with no added sugar, water, color or concentrates. It’s just pure crushed fruit and we do it right here in the cidery.”
BC Tree Fruits has an undeniable history but there’s plenty in store for the coming future for one of Kelowna's cideries.
"On May 6th we're hosting the Okanagan Craft Cider Festival and we’ll have 15 different cideries from all over the Pacific North West,” said Chorney.
“We have a grapes to grains tour where folks can visit a bunch of different breweries, wineries on a great tour where you can cruise around and taste all the different products.”
Stay up to date with BC Tree Fruits Cider via their Facebook and Instagram pages where you can find out about different cask events where customers can visit the cidery and fill their growlers.
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