Pies have a long and delicious history in England, dating back to ancient times! The concept of enclosing a filling inside a pastry originated with the Romans, who used pastry primarily to preserve flavors rather than as an edible component. By the medieval period, pies had become a staple at grand banquets, sometimes even containing live musicians for dramatic effect!!
Yorkshire has its own rich pie-making tradition, including the famous Yorkshire Christmas Pie, a towering creation filled with multiple birds, layered with stuffing. This extravagant dish was a status symbol in grand households, dating back to at least the Georgian. Yorkshire also became known for its great goose pies in the 18th century, further cementing its reputation as a pie-loving region
A few more interesting facts about pies;
Pies were originally inedible – In medieval times, the pastry was just a tough shell called a "coffyn" used to preserve the filling rather than being eaten.
The world's most expensive pie – A Lancashire pub once sold a pie for £8,195, featuring Wagyu beef, truffles, and edible gold leaf.
Shakespeare used pies for revenge – In Titus Andronicus, two characters were baked into a pie and served as revenge.
The World Pie Eating Championship – Held annually in Wigan, this contest originally involved eating as many pies as possible but was later changed to a speed-eating challenge.
Mince pies were once banned – Oliver Cromwell reportedly banned them in the 17th century, considering them a sign of gluttony.
Pies have certainly played an interesting role in history!
