The 15th of August is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day, so prepare to satisfy your sweet desire. In all of their culinary applications, lemons add an abundance of flavour to existence. There are countless ways to savour lemons, including lemon cake, lemon ice cream, and, of course, lemonade!
The lemon meringue pie is one of the finest lemon-based desserts. The golden shortbread pastry crust, savoury lemon curd filling, and velvety meringue topping will make you feel like you’re drifting on air. For those with a sweet tooth or those who haven’t tried it yet (what rock have you been hidden under? ), today is the day to celebrate this delicious dessert with other foodies.
The background of National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
Depending on the recipe, lemon juice and zest, egg yolks, and sometimes sugar and cornflour are used to make lemon meringue pie. Prior to baking, a peak-shaped meringue is distributed on top of the pie.
Numerous hypotheses about the origins of this lemon pie make it difficult to identify its originator. According to history, lemon-based desserts, puddings, and custards have existed since the Middle Ages. The innovative addition of meringue on top of pies was implemented in the 1700s. The modern lemon meringue pie acquired popularity sometime during the nineteenth century.
The first record of desserts topped with meringue dates back to France. Menon, a French cuisine author, published a book in 1739 containing a recipe for Pommes meringuées, or apple butter or applesauce covered with meringue. In 1869, a cookbook for the first time mentioned lemon meringue pie. The period’s meringue-topped lemon custard desserts were referred to as lemon cream pies.
In the 1800s, similar recipes were revealed in the United States, including a meringue-topped apple pie known as ‘apples meringuées’ or ‘apple a la turque.’ Elizabeth Goodfellow, the owner of a pastry shop in Philadelphia, is credited with devising the lemon meringue pie. She was in command of the United States’ first cooking school.
Others assert that the lemon meringue pie was created in England during the Victorian era. In some circles, it is referred to as Lemon Chester Pudding. It is commonly acknowledged as one of the desserts that introduced the world to British confections.
5 LEMON FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Due to their restorative properties resulting from their high vitamin C content, lemons are required onboard British Navy vessels.
Arizona and California account for 95% of the nation’s citrus harvest.
The combination of lemon juice and lukewarm water produces a potent antibacterial mouthwash.
Each lemon tree is capable of producing up to 600 pounds of citrus annually.
Due to their elevated acidity, lemons are effective cleaning agents.
NATIONAL LEMON MERINGUE PIE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | August 15 | Tuesday |
2024 | August 15 | Thursday |
2025 | August 15 | Friday |
2026 | August 15 | Saturday |
2027 | August 15 | Sunday |