Mince pie facts for kids
A mince pie is a small, sweet pie from Britain. People usually eat them during the Christmas season. Long ago, mince pies were savoury, meaning they tasted salty or meaty. Today, they are sweet and full of fruit.
The idea for mince pies came from the 13th century. European crusaders brought back recipes from the Middle East. These recipes often mixed meats, fruits, and spices.
Early mince pies had different names. Some called them mutton pies or shrid pies. They were also known as Christmas pies. These old pies usually had minced meat, suet (a type of fat), fruits, and spices.
Contents
The History of Mince Pies
The story of mince pies starts a long time ago. It began when European crusaders returned from the Holy Land in the 13th century. They brought new cooking ideas with them.
Middle Eastern Flavors
In the Middle East, cooks often mixed sweet and savoury foods. This meant putting meats, fruits, and spices together. This style of cooking became very popular in Europe.
Pies in Tudor Times
During the Tudor era in England, these mixed pies were called shrid pies. They were made with shredded meat, suet, and dried fruit. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg were also added. These spices were a special part of the pies. They were meant to remind people of the gifts given by the Magi.
How Mince Pies Changed
Mince pies used to look very different from how they look today.
Old Shapes and Sizes
Early mince pies were much bigger. They were also shaped like a rectangle, not round. The crust of the pie was often called a 'coffin' in old English cookbooks. The long shape was sometimes said to look like Jesus's crib.
From Savoury to Sweet
Over time, the recipe for mince pies changed. People started using less meat. Eventually, the meat was removed completely. Now, mince pies are a sweet treat. They are filled with a mix of dried fruits and spices.
Images for kids
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Home-made mincemeat
See also
In Spanish: Mince pie para niños
