What is a chocolate pear? And why are sorbs (Sorbus domestica) slowly becoming one of the most intriguing fruits in the cider world?
In this episode, we welcomes back Ben Kunesh for an update on his deepening travels, research, and real-world tastings of sorbs across Europe, including Croatia, the Czech Republic (Moravia), Slovakia, France, and the UK.
From wild forest finds to market stalls to historic trees hundreds of years old, this conversation is packed with “wait…what?!” moments for orchardists, cider makers, and curious Ciderville listeners alike.
In This Episode, We Cover
- Why Sorbus domestica is often nicknamed “the chocolate pear” (and why that name actually helps people get it)
- What bletting means, and why sorbs can be delicious before they turn fully brown (depending on the fruit)
- The “custard stage” vs. fully bletted “medlar-like” stage (and how this relates to cider pressing windows)
- Ben’s sorb travel finds across:
- Croatia (including fruit for sale at the market + trees growing in yards)
- Moravia (Czech Republic) — including the Sorbus museum and harvest festival
- France (sorb hunting with Arnold and tasting cormé/cormé-style ferments)
- Somerset, UK (a surprise roadside discovery!)
- Growth habits that can make Sorbus domestica look like an oak
- Why sorbs may matter in a changing climate:
- deep root systems
- drought resistance
- long lifespan
- later bloom time (less frost risk)
- Seed-grown vs grafted sorbs — and why Ben prefers genetic diversity (for now)
- The surprising reality: sorbs have already been distributed widely in the U.S. through seedlings
- What’s being made with sorbs in Europe:
- brandy
- co-ferments with grapes
- wine experiments
Contact for Ben Kunesh
- @strom_oskoruse
- Listen to Episode 302 with Ben Kenush Tales of the Chocolate Pears
Mentioned in This Cider Chat
- Book Recommendation
- Service Tree: The Tree for a New Europe by Vítěz Hrdoušek (English translation supported by Ben) Contact Ben directly for a copy of this book
- Moravia Sorbus Festival (Harvest + Spring events) — known in Czech as: Oskorušobraní
- Link to 2025 event
- Alan Suprenaut apple workshops: 2 workshops through the Permaculture Center in Shelburne Falls. contact via @brookfarmorchard
- Biodynamic Orcharding “These apples have soul” 6pm on 5 February 26
- Pruning for the home orchardist. A home and away…..
- The morning is classroom and the afternoon is in the orchard with hands on pruning.
- 4 April 26 10-4pm
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