Thanksgiving isn’t complete without its deliciously satisfying signature dessert: pie. Whether it’s classic pumpkin, traditional apple, sugary pecan, or even cherry or chocolate pie, there’s a favorite for everyone. Most know about the importance of pie as an American staple on Thanksgiving, but few know about its interesting history and origin throughout human history and around the world.
The pastry shell was first attributed to the ancient Greeks, but it was the Romans who are said to have made the first pie… using goat cheese and honey as a filling. Early pies weren’t the sweet desserts that come to mind these days, however. Back then, the point of pie crusts was to act as an edible shell in which to cook the contents of a meal. They were even sometimes referred to as “coffins,” meaning a basket or a box. Later on, they also served as part of an efficient means of preserving the meal. The most common pie filling was a spicy meat mixture.
So, how did the famous pumpkin pie come about? Pumpkins are indigenous to North America but the Native Americans didn’t make them into pies. Instead, they filled them with honey, milk, and spices and cooked them over a fire. Pumpkins were later introduced to Western Europe in the 17th century. The first pumpkin pie recipe recorded was found in an English cookbook in 1653. Two hundred years later, this delightful dessert finally became a Thanksgiving staple for American families.
The origins of pecan pie are a bit cloudy, but most sources agree that this is an all-American recipe created by a lady in Missouri in the late 1800s. Pecans, indigenous to North America, derive their name from the Algonquin word for “nut.” The pie was actually popularized by a corn syrup manufacturer that started putting the simple and sweet recipe on their cans. Apple pie, on the other hand, now as American as baseball, is actually another English invention. Apple trees are not native to North America but were brought here by settlers in the form of seeds and cuttings. Its popularity didn’t bloom in the U.S. until the late 1700s, but it is surely a delectable cultural mainstay today.
Regardless of which pie you like best, we’re sure you’re ready to jump into it this holiday season, and so are we! We here at Jester Bee Soapery are big fans of pie, which is why we are pleased to introduce our new line of Thanksgiving pie soap treats! With so many delicious pies out there, it’s often hard to choose which one to try first. This is why we have created our own pie soap sampler! This is the perfect way to have your pie and wash with it too… in three sumptuous scents! Give it as a gift or treat yourself, and soon you’ll be giving thanks for pie this season right along with us.
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