1 small red birds'-eye chilli
2½cm/1in piece fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
4 firm Williams or Comice pears, peeled, stalks intact
10 cardamom pods
175g/6oz golden caster sugar
1 large cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 tsp sea salt crystals
1 vanilla pod, split in half, seeds scraped out using a knife
300ml/10½fl oz whipping cream
750ml/1â…“ pints pear cider