National Apple Pie Day
A true American classic deserves its own day, which is why on May 13 we celebrate National Apple Pie Day. This dessert has been a symbol of the United States for many years, even warranting the expression "as American as Apple Pie".
A comfort food for many people, apple pie is best enjoyed with friends and family around a table. There is also nothing like the smell of freshly baked apple pie. So today, get baking, get your forks out, and enjoy a slice of this iconic dessert.
National Apple Pie Day History
There is no record of when National Apple Pie Day was created, or who created it. Like many other food holidays, it likely grew from a shared appreciation for this classic dessert. However, apple pie has a long and interesting history. Funnily enough, apple pie was not invented in America.
The apple pie was originally invented in England, and the earliest apple pie recipe dates all the way back to 1381. The original recipe is very similar to the one we currently know, but it also included figs, raisins, pears, and saffron. The Dutch also created their own version of the apple pie, and the first recipe was published in a 1514 cookbook. This recipe is very similar to the apple pie we know and love today.
It was the English and Dutch settlers that brought apple pie into the colonies of what would become the United States, during the 17th and 18th centuries. They had to wait until the apple trees they planted grew and bore fruit, and initially, apples were mainly used to make cider. It was only in the 18th century that the first apple pie recipes were printed in America, and the dessert quickly grew in popularity.
Americans loved apple pie so much, that in the 19th and 20th centuries, it became a symbol of prosperity and national pride. It became known as something that is "typically American". During World War II, when asked why they were going to fight in the war, American soldiers would famously reply "for Mom and for apple pie". Today, apple pie is still the favorite one among the majority of Americans.
Benefits of Apple Pie
- Apples contain vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. These are essential for protection against chronic diseases like poor heart conditions and cancer.
- Cinnamon is a primary ingredient used in apple pies which helps in blood sugar regulation and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Celebrate National Apple Pie Day
Apple pie is a food that brings us comfort and good memories, a true symbol of American identity. The best way to celebrate this day is by eating a slice of apple pie.
You can get your hands to work and bake your own apple pie, buy one from your favorite bakery, or ask someone in your family to make their famous apple pie that always brings you back to your childhood.
Have an apple pie-tasting party. Invite friends to bake their own apple pie, or buy one from their favorite bakery, and decide which one is the ultimate best apple pie.
You can also participate in local apple pie-baking contests hosted by nearby bakeries or restaurants.
Don't forget a scoop of ice cream or some cream to go with your pie, and make sure to share a photo of your delicious pie on social media with the hashtag #NationalApplePieDay.
Apple Pie Interesting Facts
- Earlier, apple pies in England were made with no sugar because it was an expensive ingredient.
- 1608 people made the world record for the largest number of people eating apple pie together in 2014 in Le Mars, Lowa.
- Apple Pies are sometimes served with some vanilla ice cream and this is known as 'à la mode'.
- The types of apples which are most commonly used for making apple pies include Granny Smith, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn.
