Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 15th, 2022. Today is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day. I wish my mom was here because she could share a slice of this Pie with David. While Charlie and I sit the holiday out because neither of us care for Lemon Meringue Pie. How about you?
National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
Facts about Lemons
- Did you know Lemon Trees bloom and produce Fruit year-round. Each Lemon Tree can produce between 500 and 600 pounds of lemons in a year.
- Add the juice of one Lemon to an equal amount of hot Water for an anti-bacterial gargle.
- Food historians say Lemons have been in cultivation around the Mediterranean from as early as the first Century A.D.
- High in vitamin C, Lemons prevent Scurvy. A disease that causes bleeding gums, loose teeth and aching joints. To this day, the British Navy requires ships to carry enough Lemons so that every Sailor can have one ounce of juice a day.
- California and Arizona produce 95% of the entire U.S. Lemon crop.
National Lemon Meringue Pie Day is celebrated annually on August 15th. Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth. Lemons provide so much flavor to life with all of their culinary applications. You’ll never run out of ways to enjoy Lemons, including Cake to Ice Cream and, of course, Lemonade!
Lemon Meringue Pie is amongst the best Lemon desserts. The golden Shortbread Pastry Crust, Lemon Curd filling, and velvety Meringue topping will have you floating on the clouds. For those who want to indulge their sweet tooth or those who haven’t tried it yet celebrate this tasty dessert with other family members.
History of National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
Pinpointing the creator of Lemon Pie is difficult with several theories of its origins springing up. Lemon-based Pies, Puddings, and Custards have been around since the Middle Ages, according to history. In the 1700s, the innovative addition of putting Meringue on top of the Pie was adopted. Modern-day Lemon Meringue Pie gained popularity sometime in the 1800s.
The first mention of Meringue-covered desserts dates back to France. Menon, a French cookbook Author, published a book in 1739 that includes a recipe for Pommes Meringuées, or Meringue-covered Apple Butter or Applesauce. Around 1869, a cookbook referenced Lemon Meringue Pie for the first time. Lemon Cream Pies were the name given to the Meringue-covered Lemon Custard Pies of the time.
Similar recipes were revealed in the U.S in the 1800s. One such recipe was Meringue-covered Apple Pie known as ‘Apples Meringuées’ or ‘Apple a la Turque.’ Elizabeth Goodfellow, the proprietor of a Philadelphia Pastry business, is credited with inventing the Lemon Meringue Pie. Elizabeth Goodfellow was in charge of the first cooking school in the United States.
Others say that Lemon Meringue Pie is a Victorian-era English invention. Lemon Chester Pudding is how Lemon Meringue Pie is known in certain circles. Lemon Meringue Pie is often recognized as one of the delicacies that introduced the world to British sweets.
How to Celebrate National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
- Eating a Lemon Meringue Pie is the perfect way to commemorate National Lemon Meringue Pie Day. Remember to share with family.
- There are several recipes available for you to test and it’s time to break out the cookbooks. Don your apron; because it’s time to try a new Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
- Are you already a pro at making amazing Lemon Meringue Pies? Then teach someone else how to make a Lemon Meringue Pie.
5 Facts About Lemons
- Lemons are necessary onboard British Navy ships due to their healing powers arising from the Lemons high Vitamin C concentration.
- Arizona and California are responsible for 95% of Lemon Crops found in the U.S.
- Mixing Lemon Juice with hot Water creates an effective Antibacterial Mouthwash.
- Lemon Trees produce Fruit throughout the year; each Lemon Tree can produce up to 600 pounds of Lemon annually.
- Lemons have high acidic content making Lemons effective cleaning aids.
Why People Love National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
- Pies rank among the favorite desserts anywhere in the world. Is there a better way to celebrate Pies than savoring one of its best adaptations? No.
- The only thing better than eating a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie is finding a different way of making the Pie the next time. You’ll never run out of fresh ways to enjoy this dessert, including Sugar-free to exotic Seasonings.
- Lemons have plenty of health benefits including preventing Scurvy. Grated Lemon Rinds, as well as zest, are also common baking ingredients.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
