Ultimate Recycling
- windfall noun [Chambers Dictionary]
- a fruit, especially an apple, blown down from its tree.
- an unexpected or sudden financial gain, or any other piece of good fortune.
There's a certain deep satisfaction in creating something from nothing esp. when the process is entirely natural. What better form of recycling than turning something you don't want into something that's great. From waste to taste, that's what I say...
Apples into Cider
Make the most of nature's little windfall. If you've got apple or pear trees (incl. crabs and cookers) in your garden (or maybe on your farm or orchard), there's a good chance much of the fruit goes to waste. Maybe you eat the best ones and cook the damaged ones, but still find there's plenty left over? Perhaps the fruit never seems to come good for eating? Ever considered homebrew? It's really not all that hard, a little experience and advice can go a long way. Perhaps your not too keen on chopping out the bad bits or put off by the insect damage? Fruit that's a bit insect damaged is really a good sign: a) the fruit's worth eating, b) it's not full of nasty chemicals. Anyway, I'm always on the look out for fresh supplies, if you're in the vicinity of Exeter, they'll be gladly received.
Conditions Apply
I'm strictly an enthusiastic amateur - I don't charge and I don't sell. If you'd like me to take fruit off your hands, or lend a hand physically, you'll need to be in the immediate vicinity of Exeter. Apples with over 1/3 external damage (bruising etc.) really aren't worth transporting. Whilst I can't offer any guarantees, I can offer good will and plenty of experience (all good so far). Finally good cider takes at least a season to ferment and a fair bit of work inbetween; the secret is 3 magic ingredients: apples, elbow greese, patience.
Bottles Too
As well as fruit, don't forget to recycle your bottles. If you've cider or beer empties lying around, I can certainly find a home for them. I'm only interested in the 1 pint types (or thereabouts - not wine or mini lager bottles).
... Likewise on the off-chance you happen to have any spare demi-johns or an old press cluttering the place up, you know who to call.
Press illustration is reproduced from Real Cider Making on a Small Scale by Michael Pooley and John Lomax (Amateur Winemaker Books 1999), with kind permission of Special Interest Model Books Ltd.