Some pie lovers will be eating their favorite pie on February 20 during National Cherry Pie Day. Whether they eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a slice at every meal depends on just how much they love cherry pie! February is also National Cherry Month, most likely courtesy of our first President George Washington’s reputed habit of chopping down cherry trees. Cherries were also reported to be one of Washington’s favorite foods, so it’s only right that we celebrate the classic cherry pie close to President’s Day.
According to the American Pie Council, the pie came to America with the first English settlers. The early colonists cooked their pies in long narrow pans calling them “coffyns” like the crust in England. As in the Roman times, the early American pie crusts often were not eaten, but just designed to hold the filling during baking. It was during the American Revolution that the term crust was used instead of “coffyn.”
Five food things to know about cherry pie (courtesy Foodimentary):
- Cherries belong to the rose family.
- Cherry pie is the fifth most popular pie in the US.
- In the 19th century, fruit pies were a common breakfast food.
- Oliver Cromwell banned the eating of pie in 1644, considering pie consumption as a pagan form of pleasure.
- “Surprised Pies” were popular pies enjoyed by the English upper crust in which live creatures would pop out when the pie was cut open.
In the United States, cherry pie is often referred to as a “great American dish”. If you’re looking for a great cherry pie recipe, there seems to be no end to the variations and claims of “the best” in cook books and websites. You can try making one of your own or go out for a slice. Either way, remember to post #NationalCherryPieDay on social media and share your love for Cherry Pie!
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