Introduction
During the fall and holiday season in North America, it’s quite common to enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert. This delicious treat features a smooth pumpkin filling spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, creating a perfect balance with the pumpkin’s natural sweetness. The filling has a custard-like firmness and is typically served chilled or at room temperature. On occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, pumpkin pie, often topped with a dollop of whipped cream, is a favorite dessert among many others. We also offer Pumpkin Mugs to pair with this delightful pie.
History Of Pumpkin :
Cultivation Indigenous Peoples
Pumpkin is one of the oldest foods cultivated in North America. Indigenous peoples grew squash and pumpkins for thousands of years, long before European settlers arrived, using them for food and medicinal purposes.
Agriculture Sustainability
Native Americans taught settlers the “three sisters” technique (corn, beans, and squash), which enriched the soil and increased yields.
The First Settlers In America
1621 : The First Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Plymouth settlers in present-day Massachusetts held what is considered the “first Thanksgiving” with the Wampanoag tribe to celebrate their first successful harvest. While the exact menu is uncertain, pumpkin and other local vegetables likely made it to the table.
Pumpkin as a Staple Food
Pumpkins were a dietary staple for settlers. Due to their abundance, pumpkins were often used as a substitute for wheat in making bread, cakes, and puddings.
The First Pumpkin Pies
17th Century : Early Recipes
In 17th-century England, pies were already popular, but pumpkin pie as we know it didn’t exist yet. Early “pumpkin pies” in America involved baking a whole pumpkin, hollowed out and filled with milk, honey, and spices, then set in embers for slow cooking. This rustic dish was closer to a pudding than a modern pie.
1670 : English-Inspired Recipes
By the late 1600s, English cookbooks began to include recipes for "pompion pie", or as it’s known today, "pumpion pie" (an old English word for pumpkin), where pumpkin was baked in a crust, influenced by emerging American tastes.
Who First Made Pumpkin Pie
1796 : "American Cookery" by Amelia Simmons
The first cookbook published in the United States, American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, included a pumpkin pie recipe. This book marked a turning point in American cuisine, establishing pumpkin pie as a national dish.
1800s : Standardizing the Recipe
Throughout the 1800s, pumpkin pie became an iconic dessert in the United States, with recipes appearing in cookbooks and magazines, standardizing the modern version with a pastry crust, pumpkin purée, milk, sugar, and spices.
Pumpkin Dessert For Thanksgiving
1863 : Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Pumpkin pie, due to its seasonal availability, became a classic dessert for this holiday, with pumpkin harvests fitting perfectly with the timing of Thanksgiving.
A public notice about one of several Thanksgiving proclamations Lincoln issued during the Civil War.
Why Is Sarah Josepha Hale The Mother Of Thanksgiving
Influential writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for decades to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. She wrote articles and published recipes often featuring pumpkin pie, helping it become a holiday staple.
Sarah Josepha Hale.
Pumpkin Spice : Symbol Of Autumn
Evolution of Spices
Pumpkin pie recipes typically include a mix of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This spice blend has become so popular that it is now known as "pumpkin spice."
1990-2000 : The Pumpkin Spice Vibes
With Starbucks’ introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, pumpkin spice flavors soared in popularity, becoming a signature of American fall culture.
First in store promotion for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte from 2003.
Why is Pumpkin Pie So Popular ?
A Strong Symbol
Pumpkin represents the fall season and the abundance of the harvest, a key part of Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie serves as a reminder of the resilience of early settlers and the generosity of Indigenous peoples.
The Importance of Thanksgiving
Pumpkin pie embodies family, sharing, and gratitude. Served at the end of the meal, it symbolizes the bounty of the harvest and giving thanks for the past year.
Timeless Appeal
Pumpkin pie remains one of Thanksgiving’s most popular desserts, alongside pecan and apple pie. It’s become so iconic that many Americans find it hard to imagine Thanksgiving without it.
Pumpkin Pie in Pop Culture
Pop Culture Marketing
Pumpkin pie frequently appears in movies, TV shows, and advertisements during the fall season, reinforcing its iconic image.
Coming from Tik Tok content creators.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Today, "pumpkin pie spice" is an iconic flavor found in a variety of products, from scented candles to baked goods, instantly evoking the fall season and the approach of Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin Spice Body Care Products and Candles.
In the United States, various pumpkin festivals host contests for the best pumpkin pie, celebrating this culinary tradition. Here are a few examples:
- Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (California) : Known for its giant pumpkins, this festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. Cooking contests are held, with participants judged on presentation, taste, and creativity in their pumpkin pies.
- Circleville Pumpkin Show (Ohio) : Since 1903, this festival has featured pumpkin-related contests, with booths selling pumpkin pies, pumpkin butter, and other local specialties.
- Illinois Pumpkin Festival (Morton, Illinois) : Known as the “Pumpkin Capital of the World,” Morton hosts an annual festival where locals submit their homemade pies to be judged by experts.
- State Fairs: In states like Iowa, Texas, and Minnesota, fairs host pumpkin pie contests where amateur bakers compete for prizes for the best pie.
- National Pie Championships (Florida) : While not exclusively for pumpkin pie, this competition attracts amateur and professional bakers from around the country competing for the best pumpkin pie.
- Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests : At various fall festivals, these fun contests add a festive touch, like at the New York State Pumpkin Festival, where participants eat as much pie as they can in a set time.
- Pumpkin Palooza (Nevada) : Known for family-friendly activities and pumpkin decorating contests, this festival sometimes includes culinary competitions for pumpkin pie.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival in California and Pumpkin Palooza 2024 in Nevada.
Conclusion
Pumpkin pie contests in the United States are a fun tradition, allowing amateur and professional bakers to showcase their creativity and baking skills. These events celebrate not only pumpkins but also the spirit of fall and Americans' love for homemade cooking. From pie-eating contests to detailed evaluations of flavor and texture, with prizes for the winners, these contests and festivals reinforce pumpkin pie’s iconic status across the country. For those wanting to carry this festive spirit beyond the kitchen, explore our collection of Pumpkin Pie Shirts—perfect for the season !
