World Pie Day

The World Pie Day observed on the 14^th of March every year, is an annual celebration of the mathematical number Pi (π). In many places the entire month of March is observed as the ‘Pi Month’. Although nothing to do with food, the most common way to celebrate the occasion is by having lots and lots of pie.

The day is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, hence at places people apart from eating pies also remember the famous scientist in numerous ways. Some of the unique ways of celebrating Pie Day are throwing pies at each other, organizing pie eating contests, eating and sharing slices of pie and distributing pies made at home among people.

Pies has been an important part of our civilization, since the ancient Egyptians. The first pies were baked by the Romans, who learnt it from the Greeks. The early pies were basically meat pies, and appeared in England as early as the 12^th century. The story of fruit pies started in the 1500’s. The first cherry pie was made for Queen Elizabeth I. Pie travelled to America with the early settlers, with modifications made with locally available ingredients and techniques.

Over the years pie has evolved as what it is today, and for the Americans it is ‘the most traditional American dessert’. Here are some interesting facts about the all popular pie that will certainly make you fall in love with it:

The Historical Facts:

• Sweet, savour, hot or cold, pies are considered as a comfort food. In Britain around 1 billion pounds are spent on pies, with pork pies accounting to nearly 145 million pounds.
• In England the crust of the pie was referred to as ‘coffyn’ with more of crust and less of filling.
• The Romans are believed to have brought pies to Europe, with not just meat as its filling, but oysters, mussels and fish also.
• In England the pie crust was used to bake meat dishes, where people used to enjoy the meat and the crust were given to the servants and beggars.

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Shakespeare and his pies:

• Shakespeare in his tragic novel ‘Titus Andronicus’, used pie, where the protagonist Titus Andronicus, avenges on Queen Tamara and her family for the evil deeds by baking her sons into a pie and serving it to her.
• In his novel “A Winter’s Tale”, Shakespeare bakes warden pie, made of mace, ginger, prunes, nutmeg, raisins and saffron. Wardens are a type of hard pear that lasts long, but has to be cooked before eating.

Some healthy facts about Apple Pie – one of the most preferred and a popular pie, mostly in America:

• Regulates body temperature – Iron being a rich source in apples is responsible for the regulation of body temperatures. It also assists in metabolic and enzymatic functions in the body.
• Improves digestion – Thiamine in apples assists the secretion of hydrochloric acid vital for digestion.
• Enhances memory power – Thiamine also known as a moral vitamin is effective due to its positive impact on nervous system and mental attitude.
• Helps in the treatment of diabetes – Vitamin B3 in apple tart s a treatment for diabetes and high level of blood sugar.

The article is authored by famous Dietitian Sheela Seharawat. She is the founder and chief mentor of Diet Clinic Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Also, she is one of the youngest successful entrepreneurs of India.