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Vancouver apple fest showcases heritage varieties

September
15, 2009, Vancouver, BC – More than 60 apple varieties will be available for
tasting at UBC Botanical Garden’s 19th annual festival dedicated to the fruit,
set for Oct. 17 and 18.

September
15, 2009, Vancouver, BC – More than 60 apple varieties will be available for
tasting at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Botanical Garden’s 19th annual festival dedicated to the fruit,
set for Oct. 17 and 18.

They
include new and heritage apples grown in B.C.’s Okanagan and Fraser valleys,
say organizers.

There
will also be demonstrations of grafting and cider pressing, and master
gardeners will discuss apple-related diseases and pest management.

The
event has grown “amazingly” in popularity, says Moya Drummond, one of the
organizers.

“It
gives people a chance to try different types of apples,” she said. Annual
attendance ranges from 11,000 to 14,000 visitors.

Drummond
says her favourite apple is the new variety Topaz: “It is crisp and crunchy and
has a fantastic flavour.”

The
garden is a department of the faculty of land and food systems at the
University of British Columbia.

For
details, visit www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/events/applefest.php.