Discover the rich history and significance of mince pies in Christmas celebrations as they evolved from a meat-filled dish to a sweet holiday staple in the UK.
The History of the Mince Pie
Mince pies have a long-established culinary history, dating back to the Middle Ages. The mince pie recipe has changed significantly from the original which contained a mixture of meat, fruits, and spices which we know as "mincemeat". The meat could be anything from chopped beef or lamb, depending on what was available at the time. Dried fruits from the seasonally stocked larder cupboard, together with the available spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, were the sweet combinations for these ingredient-rich pies.
The spices selected were a pure indication of your status and wealth. Rare spices came from far and wide, from those who followed the pilgrimage path, and therefore the more elaborate the pie, the more the Mince Pie was a representation of prosperity.
A Nod to Sweetness
As the 17th century dawned, there was a definitive move towards the sweeter things in life, with sugar being more accessible due to the significant increase in trade routes. And so, the sweet tooth evolved and meat slowly, but surely disappeared from the Mince Pie recipe.
The Victorians embraced within their diet, all things sugary and sweet, and so the recipe evolved yet again, with a blend of currants, sultanas, apples, and warming spices like cloves. Records suggest that 80% of households, religiously made mince pies for Christmas, thereby establishing the association of the mince pie with the festive season.
Traditionalism and Symbolism
Did you know that in the UK, mince pies were associated with bringing good luck? It was said, that if you ate one mince pie each day during the twelve days of Christmas, you would attract prosperity and happiness in the forthcoming year!
If you would like to eat a mince pie each day for twelve days, then maybe Lesley should increase her hours to make lots of them!!
Mince pies were also symbolic within the Christian faith, especially when made on Christmas Eve, as this denoted the celebration of the birth of Christ. The round shape symbolises the love of Christ, therefore the mince pie represents the spiritual layer of this festive treat.
The Modern Mince Pie
The modern mince pie has most certainly bore witness to many changes in the human diet, with new additions to the recipe, such as gin and chocolate, together with the variable sizes, now on offer. It is perhaps worth noting that over 50% of modern-day families continue to make their mince pies, which has seen a decline of around 30% in comparison to the families of yesteryear. Today, many families choose to buy their festive mince pies from bakeries like ours.
Hosting a Mince Pie Party
A novel idea but perhaps a good build-up to the festive season! Each guest could bring along a mince pie of their choice and all the guests would have to reckon who brought which mince pie. With a few bottles of fortified wines, seasonal liqueurs and, sparkling wines (but not all at once!) you could have a merry mince pie party!
Celebrating the Journey
The mince pie is in a way, a storyteller of change in our culture and society. It bears witness to the changes in our diet attributed to globalisation, and changes in the dynamics of the family structure.
A mince pie is undeniably a festive treat which is a pleasure for the tastebuds and evokes a feeling of festive joy.