National Pie Day

The story

Did you know pies have been around for thousands of years? The Ancient Egyptians made the earliest versions, filling crusts made from grains with honey or meat. By 2000 BC, they even had recipes for chicken pies carved into stone tablets. The Greeks introduced pie pastry as we know it, mixing flour and water to create a dough. The Romans took the idea further, using crusts to seal in the flavors of meat fillings—though these crusts weren’t meant to be eaten. Their recipes spread across Europe, and by the Middle Ages, pies were everywhere. In England, they were called "pyes" and often filled with meat. The crusts, called “coffins, ” were tough and used more for storage than eating. Pies became a big deal at banquets, where cooks would pack them with surprises, from live birds to elaborate decorations. They were practical, too—perfect for preserving food during long sea voyages. When English colonists came to America, they brought their pies with them. Over time, they swapped out meat fillings for local ingredients like pumpkins and apples. By the 1800s, sweet pies had become a staple, with recipes spreading across cookbooks. Apple pie, in particular, became iconic during World War II, when it symbolized home and comfort for soldiers. National Pie Day, celebrated every January 23rd, started in the 1980s to honor this beloved dish. It’s a day to bake, share, and enjoy pies of all kinds—from the earliest meat-filled versions to today’s sweet and savory creations. What is the most popular pie in the USA? Apple pie is a classic favorite in the U.S. Known as a symbol of America, it actually traces its roots to Britain. The pie is made with sliced apples and a double-crusted pastry dough.