For many drinkers in the UK, cider is a big deal. What’s more, it’s expected to get even bigger. We’re fortunate in this part of the world to have easy access to an unprecedented range of different ciders – and more and more of us are coming to appreciate just what an envious position we’re in.
If you’ve got a taste for fermented apples, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re enjoying them alongside the right food pairings.
Nowadays, cider is available in a whole host of different varieties and flavours. As such, the right food pairing might be a little bit elusive – and you might need to deviate from the traditional. With that said, it’s worth starting with what we know works: cheese.
Cheese
Cheese provides a creamy, savoury counterpoint to the sharp acidic qualities of cider. You might think of cheese and pickle sandwiches. The pickle provides many of the same flavour qualities that a good cider does.
Ideally, you’ll want to reach for something extra-soft like Camembert or Brie when you’re drinking classic apple cider. If your cider is a little on the dry side, then you might get away with a slightly sweeter cheese – like a Goat’s cheese. If your cider is a little sweeter, then salty cheese dishes like souffle might work wonders.
Pork and Cold Cuts
Salt and cured meat go wonderfully with cider, and for similar reasons. You might enjoy these on a platter, or you might go for cured meat like pancetta or prosciutto in a cooked meal. A quality cider deserves a quality cut of meat – so don’t skimp.
Vegetable Dishes
If you’d like a break from meaty dishes, or you’re avoiding them for ethical reasons, then you’ll still find plenty of options to match with your favourite cider. Look for something that’s in season, and that can be roasted to bring out those complex sweet flavours. Roasted onions, fennel, pumpkin and garlic all work wonderfully – which is convenient, as these are precisely the ingredients you might favour when you’re putting together roast pork.
Fruits
What if you’re exploring some of the more exotic ciders on offer, like raspberry or blueberry or pear? The solution is obvious – go for matching fruits in the dish. Sweeter desserts will need to be offset with the right amount of cream and bitterness. This is where your chocolates and iced-creams come in.
Of course, you might equally serve traditional apple cider alongside a baked-apple dessert, like a tart!
