Mince pies, also known as Christmas pies, are a traditional festive treat popular in the United Kingdom and other countries that have inherited British Christmas traditions.
They are small, sweet pies filled with mincemeat – a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and often some type of alcohol like brandy or rum.
Despite its name, mincemeat does not typically contain meat today, although historic recipes did include meat.
The mincemeat is usually prepared in advance, sometimes as early as November, to allow the flavours to fully develop. The pies are often topped with a pastry lid, but some variations may include a lattice top or a star-shaped top, often dusted with icing sugar.
The tradition of eating mince pies during the Christmas season dates back to the Middle Ages, and it’s said to bring good luck if you eat one mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas.
Mince pies are often left out on Christmas Eve along with a glass of milk (or something stronger) for Santa Claus.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on UnsplashThe Historical Crumbs of Mince Pies
Mince pies, an integral part of the festive Christmas season, trace their origins back to the Middle Ages. Their initial form was far different from what we enjoy today. The pie was initially a large dish filled with shredded meat, fruits, and spices. The shape was oblong, said to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby, with the top representing his swaddling clothes.
During the Crusades, European crusaders returned home bringing with them Middle Eastern recipes filled with meats, fruits, and spices – a combination that would eventually evolve into the mince pie. In the 16th century, these pies were known as ‘Christmas Pies‘, a luxury food for the rich, filled with meat like veal, goose, and beef, combined with fruits and spices.
The evolution of the mince pie from savoury to sweet
Over the centuries, the mince pie transformed gradually. By the Victorian era, the pies had reduced in size to more of a palm size, and the meat content had significantly lessened. It was during this period that the pies truly started to gain popularity as a Christmas tradition.
The major transformation in the ingredients came about when Oliver Cromwell came to power in England in the 17th century. The Puritans denounced the celebration of Christmas and associated traditions, including the mince pie.
It was then that the meat in the pie was replaced with suet, a form of animal fat, and became a sweet rather than a savoury dish. The mince pies henceforth became a symbol of Christmas resistance, baked in secret by those who wanted to keep the tradition alive.
Photo by Rob Wicks on UnsplashThe Modern Mince Pie
Today’s mince pies are sweet, filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices steeped in alcohol, often referred to as ‘mincemeat’. The suet is still used in many traditional recipes, although vegetarian and vegan alternatives are now widely available.
The preparation of the mincemeat begins quite early, often in November, allowing the mixture to mature before Christmas. The pies are usually topped with a pastry lid, but other variations include a lattice top or a star-shaped top.
Mince Pies Around the World
The tradition of mince pies has travelled around the globe with British colonisation and migration. In Australia and New Zealand, mince pies are a common sight at Christmas dinners. In the United States, the tradition isn’t as prevalent, with the pie often replaced by other sweet pies. However, it is still enjoyed by many who continue the British tradition.
The Tradition Today
Eating mince pies during the Christmas season is considered to bring good luck. An old tradition states that you should eat a mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas to ensure 12 happy months in the year to come. Whether that’s true or not, it’s a great excuse to enjoy these festive treats.
Despite its ever-evolving nature, the mince pie remains a timeless Christmas tradition. Its history is a fascinating journey, reflecting how food traditions can adapt and change with societal shifts. So this Christmas, when you take a bite of a mince pie, remember, you’re not just enjoying a sweet treat, but a piece of history too!