Our authentic ciders don’t need to be accompanied by anything to be enjoyed to the full but many foods can be enhanced by the pairing of one of our perfect pints. We’ve put together some dining suggestions that will taste even better with a glass or two of Sandford Orchards cider.
Perfect Pairings
Before we go any further there are a few things that you need to understand about pairing cider with food. Firstly, the key factors that are at play are the levels of tannin, acid and sweetness which are determined by the apples and the carbonation created in the cider production. Each of our ciders has a different balance of these elements, which determines how they interact with particular key ingredients such as meat or fish. Of course, if you start embellishing your dish with marinades and sauces then you need to consider the additional components in terms of sweetness, tannins and acidity, to make the perfect match.
Pork
Cider and pork top the list when it comes to traditional pairings. It is a match that was born in the agricultural strongholds of South West England and Normandy in France, where farms rearing pigs often had orchards too and paired the ingredients that were close at hand. But there is science behind the longevity of this partnership, according to Marcus Thompson, a certified sommelier and culinary consultant. The malic acid found in cider is particularly effective at cutting through the saturated fats found in pork, cleansing your palate with each sip. Matching the dish with a cider that complements the levels of sweetness and acidity and doesn’t overpower with tannins will work well. So if you are planning on a pork chop, then a semi dry cider, like our Shaky Bridge, will make it sing.
Beef
Where many would reach for a glass of red wine to enjoy alongside a steak or roast beef dinner, a bold tannic cider offers the same winning partnership. The science behind it, according to Trading Grapes, is that beef is rich in protein. When you take a bite of steak, the proteins from the meat bind to the tannins and soften their impact leaving the meat tasting juicier. Winner of the best tannic cider in the world at the 2023 International Cider Challenge, The General (ABV 8.4%) is a little more than half the strength of most wines, but with twice the body. It has superb marmalade tannins and a juicy apple pie aroma. It has a wonderful warmth on the finish and is a superb complement to beef.
Spicy Food & Sauces
When it comes to spicy food, something of a British favourite, finding a drink that holds its own and helps balance the heat is a challenge. According to Expert Brewing, cider is an excellent choice because its sweetness helps to offset the heat from the spices, while the acidity and carbonation help to cleanse the palate. This allows you to enjoy the flavours of both the spicy dish and the cider without one overpowering the other. Our Devon Red is perfectly equipped to take on this challenge and is a favourite in Asian restaurants across the country. It also pairs well with marinated BBQ food, where the key is to balance the acidity and sweetness in any sauces with those in the chosen cider.
Cheese
Cheese is another West Country staple that has long been enjoyed alongside cider. The locals have been enjoying something akin to a ploughman’s and a pint of apple nectar for centuries and hopefully will continue to do that for centuries to come. A mature cheddar paired with a dry cider, such as Devon Dry, has long been a happy marriage. However, the choice of cheese we enjoy now is huge and the purists suggest that different cheeses pair best with different ciders.
With such a wealth of exceptional cheeses made in the region, there are plenty of pairings to explore. Sharpham Cremet, with its delicate, creamy character, works beautifully with the fresh acidity and gentle sweetness of Shaky Bridge, while the richer, more indulgent Sharpham Brie is a lovely match for the crisp, appley character of Katja. For a goat’s cheese such as Ticklemore, try the fuller-bodied The General, whose pronounced tannins and warming finish can stand up to the cheese’s depth of flavour.
It’s All a Matter of Taste
In the end, it really all comes down to individual taste. Some of us love one cider and want to drink it with everything. We are wholeheartedly behind that strategy but if you want to test the science some time, try one of our pairing recommendations and see if you can taste the difference.
