Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: July 12th, 2022. Today is National Pecan Pie Day which was Suzzane’s and also David’s favorite Pie. In Charlie’s Home Economics Class for Cooking he has to Bake once a week. I am going to ask Charlie if he want’s to make a Pecan Pie for David. Do you know how to make a Pie Crust and would you like to help us out?
We’re nutty over today’s honoree, National Pecan Pie Day on July 12th. It’s pretty easy to get behind a holiday dedicated to one of our favorite desserts. Indeed, 90% of Americans surveyed believe eating a slice of Pie is one of life’s simple pleasures, indulging in 186 million commercially sold Pies every year! People who prefer Pecan Pie over the many other types of Pies describe themselves as thoughtful. We’re not sure if this still holds true for those who add Whipped Cream but, nonetheless, it’s time to celebrate Pecan Pie.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PECAN PIE DAY
It is uncertain how National Pecan Pie Day started but we certainly feel indebted to an unknown person because we couldn’t agree more with the idea of celebrating Pecan Pie.
Pecan Pie has a long, Southern history whose origins are highly debatable. Some believe Pecan Pie started in New Orleans by French immigrants, turned Southern, in the 1700s after being introduced to the Pecan by Native Americans. Others believe Pecan Pie got its start in Alabama but this claim is unsupported by written recipes or printed literature. Of course, it’s not hard to believe many Southerners would love to lay claim to being the inventor of Pecan Pie.
Following the Civil War, commercial developers brought in a few varieties of Pecans to grow in Georgia, which is now the main commercial grower of Pecans in the U.S. Grafted Pecan Trees also became prevalent in Louisiana in the mid- to late-1800s. The name of the Nut itself is derived from the French word ‘pacane,’ which is taken from the Algonquian word for ‘nut.’
The first printed Pecan Pie recipe surfaced in an 1886 edition of “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine. Years later, various forms of the recipe were published in well-known cookbooks such as the “Joy of Cooking.” Throughout the early 1900s, Karo Corn Syrup was invented and yet another claim to the discovery of Pecan Pie emerged. The wife of a company executive shared her recipe using Karo as the ingredient of choice instead of Maple Syrup, honey, or Molasses. Whether her claim is true, Karo Corn Syrup helped raise the popularity of Pecan Pie when they published the recipe.
While most hold the perception that Pecan Pie remains a Southern dish, in reality, its popularity has swept across the U.S. with regions taking on their own ingredient preferences. Pecan Pie holds a place in the Thanksgiving trinity of Pies along side Pumpkin, and Apple. Most frequently enjoyed by families during the holiday. Due to this, many also consider Pecan Pie a dessert to savor during Fall or Winter months.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PECAN PIE DAY
- Pecan Pies can be made and even frozen if you would like to give a Pecan Pie as a gift. There are many bakeries online that sell fresh Pecan Pies available for delivery which is such an easy way to send a sweet treat to a friend who may not otherwise make or purchase a Pecan Pie for themselves.
- The Pecan harvest season starts in September and October in the Eastern States, going through March as you move West. Find Pecan farms and mark your calendar now for the right time in your region to go.
- It’s hard to beat the classic Pecan Pie recipe but if you’re looking for a change, there are plenty of variations out there. One of the most common is a Chocolate Pecan Pie. Which simply adds Chocolate to the main recipe. When has adding Chocolate ever ruined anything? I would say never. How about you? Don’t forget about Pecan Pie Cheesecake, and Bourbon Pecan Pie.
5 FACTS ABOUT PECANS
- Pecan Trees take 12 years to mature.
- Once the Pecan Tree is mature, in the best climate conditions, Pecan Trees can produce for hundreds of years.
- Pecans are native to North- and Central America and the U.S. produces 80% of the world’s Pecans.
- Texas chose the Pecan Tree as its State Tree in 1919. The Pecan Pie as its State Pie in 2013.
- There are over 1,000 varieties of Pecans.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL PECAN PIE DAY
- .With the United States producing 80% of the world’s Pecans, Pecan Pies are about as American-made as you can get. The Pecan industry brings in over $500 million annually across 19 States. Georgia produces the most Pecans per year and Albany is known as the ‘Pecan Capital of the U.S.’ with over 600,000 Pecan Trees.
- What would life be without our grandmothers’ homemade Pies and it’s challenging to find a better tasting Pie that our grandmother’s.
- Many people favor Pecan Pie because of the ooey-gooey Custard-like center. Between the layer of crunchy Pecans and the flaky Crust, the center is where the magic happens. The dense combination of Butter, Sugar, Syrup, and Eggs is what creates this delicious texture.
Five Finds about Pie:
- Approx. $700 million in Pies or = 186 million units of Pies are sold in Supermarkets every year.
- Pumpkin Pie was first introduced to the holiday table at the Pilgrim’s second Thanksgiving in 1623.
- Did you know Pie was not always America’s favorite dessert? n the 19th Century, Fruit Pies were a common breakfast food eaten before the start of a long day.
- More than one-third of Americans have eaten Pie in bed. Are you one of those people because I hate to admit it but I am and even though I shouldn’t I might do it again.
- Here is a fun fact for you: Boston Cream Pie is a Cake, not a Pie.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
