Paired with pears: Drink is similar to cider, but without apples
This unusual lcoholic beverage made with Perry pears from the U.K.
While shopping at Sobey’s on Lansdowne this week, I realized I had run out of ginger beer.
Not wanting to take an extra trip to the LCBO, I decided to check out the beer section at Sobey’s.
Though not a beer fan per se, I was sure I could find a gluten-free cider. Cider is made from apples (rather than wheat), and so is gluten-free.
I spotted a display Sir Perry Imported Pear Cider, ($2.95 per 500 mL). Produced by William’s Orchards in England, Sir Perry is made from 100 per cent pear juice. This beverage is also available through the LCBO, (CSPC 8144), $2.95.
Sir Perry possesses a straw colour with aromas and flavours of pear and some equal mineral notes. The palate is light and refreshing with a hint of sweetness.
I assume the beverage is called a “pear
cider” for marketing purposes only. It cannot be a cider as it contains no apples. Cider and perry are different alcoholic beverages. Cider is made from apples. Perry is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented Perry pears. Many pear varieties exist in the Perry family. But they all share the common traits of being small, hard fruits with less sweetness than dessert pears.
Perry production is similar to that of cider but with a few differences. Perry
pears are difficult to keep fresh once picked and must be milled quickly. This means that more single variety perries are produced.
Between milling and pressing, the pomace also rests for 24 hours. This process helps to reduce the naturally occurring astringency and tannins in the resulting product.
William’s Orchards is located in Herefordshire, England. Herefordshire has been a cider-producing region since around 1887. Perry is also now produced in this region. Today you can visit about 14 cider and perry companies along The Cider Route. However, William’s Orchards is not part of the route.
In Herefordshire, about 120 Perry pear varieties are grown. Some of varieties include Dead Boy, Mumblehead and Merrylegs, and Hellens.
Perry pears contain varying amounts of a natural sweetener called sorbitol. Sorbitol does not ferment into alcohol. Therefore the beverage retains some of its natural sweetness.
Sorbitol, however, is said to be a natural laxative. This can be either a beneficial or undesirable side affect. Personally, I didn’t notice the difference. However, it is this side effect that has caused this beverage to earn the saying, “Perry goes down like velvet, round like thunder and out like lightning.” Perhaps a gentle warning!
Chilled and served over ice, Sir Perry complements a whole range of savoury dishes. Its hint of sweetness compliments an appetizers of Balsamic Glazed Pear and Goat Cheese Crostini, followed by Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup. It can be paired with Endive Salad with Roasted Pears in a White Balsamic Vinaigrette before being served with the main entrée of Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pears.