Food pairing with cider

Chaim in the wine forum posed a question with regards to the right stemware with Normandy cider. I don't have a good answer for him, but realized that I too have a bottle of Normandy Cidre in my cellar. I plan to open it one of these days. What foods would pair well with it? Thanks in advance.
-Shaji

Chaim in the wine forum posed a question with regards to the right stemware with Normandy cider. I don't have a good answer for him, but realized that I too have a bottle of Normandy Cidre in my cellar. I plan to open it one of these days. What foods would pair well with it? Thanks in advance.
-Shaji

It probably depends what kind of cider, but in France it's a pretty well-established cliche to drink cider with all the savory crepes. So that could be a start.

[Jenise]

I love pear cider, and I too have a bottle waiting to be opened soon. And though Rahsaan's right about tradition, I think it would be a fabulous pairing with Indian food.

The traditional pairing in Hessen is Handkaes mit musik which is Quark cheese mixed with natron and left to 'cure' for a couple of days, then spread on buttered sourdough bread and smothered with vinegar, oil, caraway seeds and onions. I love it, but do make sure that the cider is very dry.

I find good cider a very flexible match with food, and indeed also as a base for a sauce. Pork and apple going so well always make me think cider for roast pork, so that's my vote.
As well as food, cider is a great match for an early summer's day!

I've enjoyed it with brats and kraut before.

rwj

FWIW, my thoughts were with Ian's. Pork seems like it ought to work well with cider.

FWIW, my thoughts were with Ian's. Pork seems like it ought to work well with cider.

It certainly ought to. Also from Hessen (most especially the region around Frankfurt) is the dish Rippchen mit Kraut (hot cured pork with sauerkraut) which is traditionally served with their version of cider, Äppelwoi (aka Apfelwein). It is a very good pairing.

Mark Lipton