Pears and SG

[DaveDiamond]

Have people found that the addition of pears and pear juice to Apple Cider causes readings slightly above 1.000 when fermentation has finished?
On the 24th August one batch I added pear to read 1.002, another 1.004, I checked today (19th Sep) and the SG hasn't changed.
So a stall or just non fermentable sugar from the pears? I used S-04 with a starting SG of around 1.040, so only about 5.25%, well within S-04's tolerance, temp 22c/72f.
I'm interested to see if others have had similar experiences.
Cheers!

 

[Maylar]

It's quite possible, yes. I believe it's because of the sorbitol sugar in pears.

 

[DaveDiamond]

It's quite possible, yes. I believe it's because of the sorbitol sugar in pears.

That's why I added pears, plus I like Somerby's Pear Cider. If you can add some pear for non fermentable sugars then I figured that would be the way to go.

 

[Maylar]

Be aware that it also has a laxative effect...

 

[Raptor99]

Be aware that it also has a laxative effect...

Only in large quantities. Maybe it affects some people differently. Are you bothered by eating 1-2 pears?

 

[Maylar]

Only in large quantities. Maybe it affects some people differently. Are you bothered by eating 1-2 pears?

I haven't had a pear in years, so I don't remember. But a friend of mine wouldn't eat one unless he was home close to a crapper.

 

[Raptor99]

I haven't had a pear in years, so I don't remember. But a friend of mine wouldn't eat one unless he was home close to a crapper.

Some people are especially sensitive to sorbitol. They should avoid pears and pear cider. But the rest of us are fine with pears and pear cider. Personally, I love fresh pears.

Good point though. If we serve apple-pear cider or other drinks containing pear juice, we should be sure that our guests that they contain pear juice.

 

[DaveDiamond]

Some people are especially sensitive to sorbitol. They should avoid pears and pear cider. But the rest of us are fine with pears and pear cider. Personally, I love fresh pears.

Good point though. If we serve apple-pear cider or other drinks containing pear juice, we should be sure that our guests that they contain pear juice.

I'm trying to think of whether Pear Cider upset my stomach or not, it's been a while. No immediate effects anyway, and being lactose intolerant would I have even noticed?
Certainly a good point to mention that the Apple Cider has pears in it though, don't want a sneak attack on friends and family!

 

[Dragonid]

I suppose that's one way to limit consumption. Pear it up.

This seems like a good excuse to test out some perry/cider blends.

 

[DaveDiamond]

I suppose that's one way to limit consumption. Pear it up.

This seems like a good excuse to test out some perry/cider blends.

That's what I've been doing, and I like the Ciders that have a bit of pear best. Some have just had a bit of Apple and Pear Puree, some have juice, like 1 litre Pear to 9 litres Apple, some with Diced Pears from a tin or little Snack Pack tubs, things like that, just a bit of pear in Apple Cider.
The one I put in the fridge tonight is around a gallon, it's 1 litre Cloudy Pear Juice, 2 litres Supermarket Long Life Apple Juice, 2 tubs of Diced Pear in Juice, 2 tubs Apple and Pear Puree, Nottingham yeast and DAP. SG 1.050, 6.56% if it finished at 1.000, I'm letting it sit in the fridge before checking and racking.
That is a lot higher ratio of Pear to Apple than I've been doing, so I'll see how it tastes tomorrow night.

And I guess we'll see if Maylar's warning applies to me too!

Edit, this came in at 1.008 on the 22th September, it was pitched on the 24th August, so I don't know if it's finished or not, but I'm thirsty!

 

[Raptor99]

One of my favorite ciders so far is about 50/50 crushed pears and apple juice.

 

[DaveDiamond]

Be aware that it also has a laxative effect...

Well last night I drank 3 litres of the Cider that was heavy on the pear, then ate 5 eggs and some questionable reduced to clear sliced ham and turkey that I wouldn't have fed to the family and went to bed.
I made lots of trips to the toilet in the night and early morning, and it's past 1pm now and my stomach is still gurgling! I don't recall anything like this from commercial Pear Cider, but maybe it was a combined effect, eggs and out of date sliced meat before bed wouldn't have helped much!
I finally made a Cider that tasted great, have 3 litres of a similar recipe in the fridge and I'm too scared to drink it!
Thanks for the (unheeded) timely warning Maylar, you were right!