Since Loren Taves has been around berries for most of his life, you could say he's a kind of a connoisseur of these fruits. So when he waxes on about one of his favourites - the delicately-hued pink champagne currants he grows - it's hard to resist a taste.

The light juices burst on the tongue, honey-like and more subtle than the more intensely flavoured, earthy red or black currant relatives of this pink variety.

One taste, and visions of delicate currant chiffon pie, cool currant sorbet, or light juice drift through one's taste imagination.

"I just love these," said Taves, as he savoured a couple of handfuls while sitting at a picnic table in the backyard of his Abbotsford farm, The Applebarn.

Taves got to know the variety a few years ago, when he grew and propagated several varieties of currants and gooseberries for growers. The pink hybrid, developed in Europe like most ribes varieties, is one of his favourites.

When he opted out of growing plants for sale, he kept 180 bushes - "I just can't throw away anything," he admits - and has them growing on the sunny slopes of south Abbotsford among eight acres of speciality currants and gooseberries.

Ribes are a nostalgic fruit that appeal to those with European roots who remember the berries from their youth, and to those who value its singular flavours, he says.

And now that consumers are rediscovering the fruit and its nutritional values, Taves hopes they'll be as excited about the pinks as he is, so he's offering the fresh fruit to local buyers. It's yet another unique local taste experience that he wants valley residents to discover.

"The flavour is so incredible. I'm trying to show the public, here's a 'new' berry in this area, come and try it," he said.

Taves has been growing ribes, a family that includes currants and the larger gooseberries, since he was 17, when his dad gave him and his brother an acre to farm on Gladwin Road. They both retained the love of farming - his brother has land on Sumas Prairie and Taves continues to cultivate the Clearbrook Road farm and other close-by properties.

The entrepreneurial farmer also grows speciality vegetables year round in a modern 4.5-acre greenhouse down the road. Living butter lettuce, eggplants, mini cukes, 'stiletto' and other sweet peppers and a range of tomatoes go to commercial clients, and up 18 farmers' markets around the Lower Mainland.

Taves and his family also operate The Applebarn Pumpkin Farm, a perennial favourite for people who want to pick fresh apples in September.

It's also a great place for youngsters of all ages to experience fun farm activities and to see where their food is grown.

Kids can visit with the several gregarious goats when they're not roaming their overhead bridges, take hayrides or pony rides, try the giant jumping pillow, slides and zip lines.

They can also pick their perfect pumpkin, or launch the orange orbs with Taves' custom-made pumpkin cannon.

In fact, the Applebarn will celebrate its 20-year anniversary this fall, on Sept. 11 and 12, and is open for the season as of Sept. 1.

To taste the pink champagne currants, give Taves a call at 604-853-3108. He and the family also sell in-season produce at the Applebarn roadside stand at 333 Gladwin Rd., Abbotsford, and at farmers markets. Get location details at www.applebarn.ca.

- Taves sells fresh pink currants, not the bushes. Incorrect information ran in the Times' Bottom Line on July 20.