National Cherry Pie Day is celebrated annually on February 20. With all of its fruity, buttery deliciousness, we are ready to devour this delectable dessert in all of its forms — homemade or store-bought, everything is better with pie! It is believed that the cherry pie flavour was chosen for this holiday because of its significance to George Washington and the myth created by his biographer regarding Washington’s honesty when he cut down his father’s cherry tree.
The background of National Cherry Pie Day
The first pie was made in ancient Egypt around 9500 B.C. Egyptians, who were known for their love of sweets and meats, typically made pies with honey and dates that were wrapped in reeds, as the filling of a pie was intended to be consumed. The Romans are believed to have learned about pies from the Greeks, who then spread this delectable dish throughout Europe.
Only consumed by royalty and the wealthy, the pie maintained its culinary influence in mediaeval Europe as a precursor to Tupperware for baking, transporting, and storing food. Even though the reeds had transformed into a flour-and-water-based pastry, it was still inedible due to its consistency, hardness, and lack of flavour. The filling remained the primary component of the dish and was primarily composed of meat and seafood. As the shape of pies evolved into a narrow dish, coffyns became the term for pie bases.
Fruit pies were introduced and became popular in the 1500s. It is believed that the cherry pie made its debut during this time and was presented to Queen Elizabeth I. The first pies were brought to America by the early English settlers, along with cherry trees that were distinct from those that eventually became indigenous. The custom of not eating the pie crust was still observed. During the American Revolution between 1775 and 1783, however, the term ‘coffyn’ changed to ‘crust’ and, shortly thereafter, became a part of the pie that could be eaten as well as used to protect or store its contents.
Cherry pie is one of the most popular pie fillings in the United States, traditionally made with tart cherries rather than sweet ones, morello cherries, or native black cherries. This delicious dessert pairs well with large quantities of ice cream or whipped or poured cream.
NATIONAL CHERRY PIE DAY ACTIVITIES
Create your own tart
Utilize the opportunity to prepare a homemade cherry pie. There are numerous delicious recipes online. Or reconnect with tradition and practise making an old family recipe passed down from generation to generation.
Visit the pie shop
You do not need to be an avid baker to enjoy this holiday’s festivities. Why not treat yourself and those special to you with a local bakery bought pie and devour either at home or enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant. Add lashings of whipped cream or ice cream and enjoy!
Purchase fashion statements
There are other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving if you don’t like pie. Why not buy some gorgeous pie-themed clothes or jewellery? On T-shirts, scarves, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc., you can find cherry pie designs with catchy slogans that were inspired by pop art.
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National Cherry Pie Day: 5 FACTS
You are not alone if you are thinking warm and happy thoughts while reading this; surveys indicate that nearly half of all Americans experience such emotions when the word “pie” is mentioned.
In Kansas, it was illegal to serve ice cream with cherry pie until the 1960s, when the law was repealed.
During the 1900s, fruit pies were considered a common breakfast option, especially if there was a long day ahead.
Cherry pie is the fifth most popular filling in the United States, behind apple, pumpkin, pecan, and banana cream.
The original purpose of pie crusts was to preserve the filling; the pastry was extremely hard and inedible.
NATIONAL CHERRY PIE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | February 20 | Monday |
2024 | February 20 | Tuesday |
2025 | February 20 | Thursday |
2026 | February 20 | Friday |
2027 | February 20 | Saturday |