Apple Cider Pairing: The Best Foods to Enjoy a Good Cider

In Italy, wine is certainly one of the most popular drinks, enjoyed during delicious dinners but also as tasty aperitifs.

In recent years, however, the palate of Italians has literally been exploring new tastes and flavors, becoming increasingly passionate about drinks such as craft beer but also apple cider.

Cider is an alcoholic drink obtained from the fermentation of apples with an alcohol content generally between 2% and 7%. These percentages are exceeded only in the American and Canadian cider variants.

From a taste point of view, cider can be dry or sweet, with a variable yellow-bronze color.

But if we want to organize an evening with friends or we are at a restaurant, what foods can we pair a glass of cider with? In this article, we will discover the table pairings of apple cider.

Pairing Cider with Food

Pairing cider with food allows for the best harmony between what you drink and what you eat, allowing the cider to express all its characteristics. Each cider has its own traits that are enhanced when paired with specific foods. Tannic, fruity, acidic ciders each require a specific pairing to be enjoyed best. While personal taste is important and there are no strict rules for pairing, asking what to eat with cider is a legitimate question, just as we know that white wine pairs better with fish than red wine.

By following a precise method of pairing cider and food, we can adhere to the “4 C Rule”:

1. COMPLEMENT
2. CONTRAST
3. CUT
4. COMPLETION

Complement The taste of cider should complement that of the dish.

Contrast Following the contrast rule, we choose to ignore the previous complementary rule and go for bolder pairings, such as matching flavors with different characteristics.

Cut Cider has an excellent ability to “cut” through fatty foods, cleaning the palate when eating rich, heavy, or greasy foods. This is why cider pairs well with cheese.

Completion The aromatic bouquet of cider can sometimes complete specific flavors present in the dish, thanks to the presence of spices, herbs, or particular botanicals in the cider.

Best Pairings with Sweet Cider

If you are at a restaurant and order a glass of cider, the waiter will surely recommend the right pairing with the food. But if you have bought a bottle of good cider and invited friends for a pleasant evening tasting, what can you serve as accompanying food? The ideal pairing varies based on the type of cider, whether sweet, traditional, or dry.

Sweet apple cider has an intense color and a very fine but persistent aroma. Sweet cider has a fresh, pleasant, and fruity taste and a low alcohol content, making it a good match for cheeses like salted ricotta and robiola. It is also ideal for accompanying desserts like shortbread cookies, fruit tarts, and dry pastries.

Best Pairings with Traditional and Dry Cider

Traditional cider is much more alcoholic and has a more bitter taste than sweet cider. This type of drink pairs perfectly with cheeses, both fresh and aged like Parmesan, as well as pork.

Thus, the pairings for this type of cider are similar to those for red wine. Dry cider is a less sparkling beverage. It pairs well with fish dishes or white meats. If dry cider is enjoyed in summer, it can be served cold as an afternoon aperitif.

During the cold season, in winter, dry cider can be enjoyed hot as a mulled drink, heated with orange slices, a handful of cloves, and a cinnamon stick.

Serving Apple Cider as an Aperitif

Cider is an excellent drink served as an aperitif, either alone or in cocktails. Its light alcohol content, pleasant bubbles, and fresh taste make it ideal for enjoying during aperitif time with some tasty snacks. For refined cider-based cocktails, apple cider can be used to create delicious sangrias or mixed with fruity liqueurs or crème de cassis.