Pairing cider and food

Exploring the art of pairing cider and food to crate a guide to perfect matches.

Pairing cider with food is similar to pairing wine with food. Like wine, cider can be dry, sweet, still, or sparkling, and each type can be paired with different types of dishes. 

Dry ciders 

Dry ciders often feature a tart and tannic character that lends itself well to pairing with rich and savory foods.

Charcuterie 

The crispness of a dry cider can cut through the fattiness of meats like salami, prosciutto, and pâté, making for a well-balanced combination.

Cheese

Dry ciders pair beautifully with a variety of cheeses, particularly those that are creamy and rich like Brie, Camembert, or even blue cheese. The cider's acidity helps to cleanse the palate, while the cheese's creaminess mellows the cider's tartness.

Spicy foods

Foods like spicy chicken wings, Indian curries, or spicy Asian dishes pair well with dry ciders. The cider's dryness and acidity can help balance out the heat and cleanse the palate between bites.

Sweet ciders 

These ciders are often more fruity and lush, making them a natural match for desserts and other sweet or spicy dishes.

Desserts

Apple pies, caramel desserts, or creamy cheesecakes can be wonderfully paired with a sweet cider. The cider's sweetness intensifies the dessert's flavors, creating a harmonious blend.

Barbecue

Foods that have been barbecued with a sweet sauce, like ribs or pulled pork, can pair very well with sweet ciders. The sweetness of the cider complements the sweetness of the barbecue sauce, while the cider's acidity helps balance the rich meat flavors.

Sparkling ciders 

With their effervescence and bright flavors, sparkling ciders make an excellent pairing with lighter, delicate dishes.

Seafood

Think of dishes like shrimp cocktail, grilled fish, or seafood pasta. The bubbles in the cider help to refresh the palate, balancing the seafood's richness.

Poultry

Roasted chicken, turkey, or duck can also pair well with sparkling cider. The cider's bubbles and acidity can cut through the fattiness of the poultry, enhancing its flavor.

Salads

Light and fresh salads, especially those with a fruity element like apple or pear slices, can be beautifully complemented by a glass of sparkling cider.

Fruit-flavored ciders

These ciders can offer a unique pairing experience, where the added fruit flavors can be paired to match or contrast with the flavors in the food.

Fruit salads or desserts

For instance, a berry cider could pair wonderfully with a fresh berry salad or a berry tart. Alternatively, a pear-flavored cider might go well with a pear and blue cheese salad, or a pear tart.

Roasted or grilled meats

Cherry or peach-flavored cider could complement dishes featuring duck, pork, or chicken with a similar fruit glaze or stuffing.

Wood-aged ciders

Often aged in oak barrels, these ciders can have deep, rich flavors that pair well with hearty, robust dishes.

Grilled meats

Steak, lamb, or pork chops can stand up to the bold flavors in a wood-aged cider.

Aged cheeses

Strong, aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or gorgonzola can also complement the rich, complex flavors in these ciders.

Normandy ciders

Known for their funky and earthy flavors, these ciders are a match for robust, hearty dishes.

Strong cheeses

Cheeses with bold flavors, like Camembert, Roquefort, or Pont-l'Évêque (a classic Normandy cheese), pair wonderfully with these ciders.

Game meats

Hearty meats like venison, boar, or duck can hold their own against the strong, complex flavors in a Normandy cider.

Let your taste be the guide

Pairing cider with food is ultimately about balance and harmony, where the characteristics of the cider and the food enhance each other. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover your own personal favorites!