People around the world love pie as a sweet treat. From sweet fruit pies to savoury meat pies, the history of pie goes back centuries. This delicious treat has been a part of cuisines of many civilisations for thousands of years, evolving to become a beloved dish worldwide.
From the classic apple pie in the U.S. to meat pies in Britain and the spiced pies of the Middle East, pies have become a favourite worldwide, with each culture adding its special touch. Regardless of whether you prefer a hot slice of apple pie or a chicken pie that has been baked to perfection, pies are sweet and comforting. However, have you ever wondered about the origin of pie, or who the inventor of pie was, and what factors led to their widespread popularity? Discover the history of pie by going back in time!
The Ancient Origins of Pie

Pies didn’t appear unexpectedly. They have been there for thousands of years and their history goes all the way back to ancient times. There isn’t a clear founder of pie, but ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks helped create early versions. The first pies had a thick, hard crust made from grains, which served more as a container. The fillings were made using ingredients like honey, fruits, or nuts. They were very different from the pies we enjoy today. Over time, pies have evolved into the delicious, flaky treats we know today.
Early Beginnings in Ancient Egypt
It was about 9500 BC that the first pies were developed by the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians were the first to make crusts from grains like wheat and barley, but they couldn’t create the delicious pies we know today. After combining these grains with water, they created crusts that were capable of retaining meat, honey, or nuts. This process was used to manufacture dough during the time. The crust was important because it helped workers and travellers carry their meals, and it also helped preserve the food inside. Despite their simplicity, these early pies had a crucial role in the development of pie!
The Evolution of Pie in Medieval Europe

Pie developed and evolved as the dish travelled to various corners of the world. Particularly in England, pies became popular in European cuisine. People began creating pies with different sorts of meat, including beef, lamb, and duck, around mediaeval times. Popular in England, these savoury pies were often stuffed with beautifully spiced meat and other components such as currants, dates, and pepper.
Pies were more than simply a meal in mediaeval Europe; they were a means of displaying their cooking prowess. For special events, people made large, beautiful pies, sometimes with fancy decorations on top. These pies were often eaten during feasts or big gatherings and symbolized wealth and creativity.
New ingredients like sugar and Eastern spices began finding their way into European cuisine as commerce between Europe and other regions of the globe developed. Sweet pies were thus born out of this. Made with fruits like cherries, apples, and berries, the first sweet pies gained great popularity in the 1500s. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth I of England was known to like cherry pie, which reveals how much pies had evolved into a staple of European life at that point.
Modern Day: Pie Around the World

Pies travelled the globe and became a cherished dish in many different civilizations, not just in Europe. Every nation contributed its own spin; now we have a variety of pies from all across the world.
For instance, they invented the well-known quiche, a savoury pie loaded with eggs, cheese, and veggies, in France. Though it differs from English traditional meat pies, it is as mouthwatering.
The torta is a common kind of pie in Italy. Often baked in lovely spherical forms, Italians load their tortas with everything from sweet fruits to savoury veggies.
Made of thin layers of dough, börek is a kind of pie found in Turkey filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. Usually presented as a snack or appetizer, this Turkish pie is crunchy and rather good.
These are just a few; pies have been created and modified all over, adding unique tastes and ingredients in every nation. Love of pie has travelled far and wide, from French quiche to Italian torta to Turkish börek.
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Conclusion
Pies have a remarkable and extensive history spanning thousands of years. From its modest origins in ancient Egypt, when basic dough housed nuts and honey, to the sweet and savoury pies we know today, pies have changed and grown to be a popular food in many civilizations.
Pies are a symbol of comfort, creativity, and tradition, as much as they are a great dessert. Thus, keep in mind that the next time you bite into a piece of pie you are savoring a dessert that has been enjoyed for millennia and that helps to unite people all across the planet!
FAQ
1. Who was the Founder of Pie?
The inventor of pie remains a mystery, but many historians believe that it was a gradual process influenced by different ancient cultures. Pie evolved throughout time; ancient Egypt produced the first forms of pie. Like the Greeks and Romans, many civilizations helped to hone and disseminate the concept of pie.
2. How Did Pie Come to America?
Pie migrated to America with European immigrants, mostly from England. Early American colonists started creating fruit pies utilizing locally available resources, such as apples and pumpkins, which resulted in the well-known American pie modifying the typical meat-filled pies.
3. What Makes a Pie Different from a Tart?
The crust is where the major variation exists. Usually having a thick, deep crust and maybe a top crust, a pie has a filling covering the whole base. Usually open-faced and featuring a thinner, shallow crust, a tart shows the contents right away.
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