Homemade Pie Day is held annually on August 1. It’s a day to celebrate pie, a dish that has been around since the ancient Egyptians. Today, pie has become a symbol of American life. So let's celebrate by taking a look at the history of pie as well as delving into some decadent recipes!

Pies have featured in one form or another in several cultures around the world, from the ancient Greeks to the Romans to the British and eventually, the Americans.

HISTORY OF HOMEMADE PIE DAY

The ancient Egyptians are the earliest-known civilization to have had a pie dish. It typically consisted of a crust made from wheat, oats, rye, or barley and filled with honey. The ancient Greeks and Romans also had pastries similar to the modern-day pie. For instance, the Romans often coated meat with a pastry made out of flour, oil, and water. However, this dough was only intended to preserve the meat and not eaten as a meal. A Roman cookbook entitled “Apicius,” dating back to the first century was discovered to contain recipes similar to pie cases.

In Great Britain, pies were often referred to as ‘coffyns.’ They were mainly used as a covering to preserve meat, especially on long sea voyages as fresh meat could not be obtained. During medieval times, these pies became more elaborate as cooks tried to outdo each other in presentation. At grand banquets, pies were often the centerpiece of the food table as the pie cases were removed to reveal the delicious fillings underneath. Sometimes, live actors or musicians were hidden inside pies to burst out as a surprise.

Until the 15th century, pies usually only contained meat or fish, but they soon included fruits and custard. It is reported that the very first cherry pie was baked for Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th century. As English settlers arrived in America, pies came along with them. Early versions often had thick, heavy crusts of rough flour and suet. Pies soon became a trademark American dish and today are heavily associated with traditional American life. When soldiers were asked why they were going off to war during World War II, they replied, “For mom and apple pie.”

History of Pie brought to you by National Today

NOW...ON TO THE DECADENT RECIPES