Decorated trees, snow men, mince pies - there are some things that just define Christmas. But how is it that a meaty pudding from the Middle Ages has come to play such a central role in our modern Christmas celebrations? Let’s explore the history of mince pies – maybe while biting into a freshly warmed Walkers mince pie of your own?
Mince pies throughout history
For hundreds of years the delicious mince pie has been enjoyed as a tasty, warming and filling treat - early on as a main dish, now most often to finish off a meal or to serve up as a treat. Warm, spicy mincemeat and the crisp pastry crust complement each other, and also go beautifully with a spoonful or two of whipped cream or a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. But that’s not always been the case.
The reason mincemeat is called meat is because that’s exactly what it used to be: most often mutton, but also beef, rabbit, pork or game. Mince pies were first served in the early middle ages, and the pies were quite sizeable, filled with a mixture of finely minced meat, chopped up fruit and a preserving liquid. Mincemeat originally came about as a good way of preserving meat, without salting, curing, smoking or drying it.
In 1413, King Henry V served a mincemeat pie at his coronation. Henry the VII was fond of the meaty Christmas pie as a main dish, filled with minced meat and fruit. Mince pies have been known under several names over the years. Christmas pyes indicate their popularity at this time of year, shrid pies refer to the shredded suet and meat, crib cakes which allude to baby Jesus in his crib, and wayfarer’s pies, as they were a traditional treat served to travelling visitors. They have been referred to as mince pies in literature by countless dignitaries and important historical figures.
Today’s mince pies bear little resemblance to the early versions, but as the recipes, methods and ingredients available have developed over the years, we have ended up with a tasty treat using the finest ingredients, made in the same way it has been for years – but quite a difference from the original recipes driven more by necessity than by delight. The same can be said for shortbread. The sweet, crumbly version that Walkers has made since 1899 is certainly traditional, but the original shortbreads would be a far cry from the delicious treat available today. Read more about the history of shortbread, or tuck in to a historic treat by ordering your Christmas favourites here!
Traditions, folklore and superstitions
As with many traditional recipes, especially the ones we make and enjoy around big holidays or life events, mince pies are steeped with tradition and customs. Mincemeat would often be made on stir-up Sunday along with the Christmas pudding, the last Sunday before Advent. (As a side note, did you know the Christmas pudding also originally had meat in it?) Stirring the mincemeat was quite an event, and English tradition dictates that it should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring the mincemeat anti-clockwise would lead to bad luck and poor fortune in the coming 12 months. To spread the joy, it was tradition in England that each member of the family gave the mixture a stir, while making a wish. And if you wanted to be ensure good health and happiness in the upcoming year, you should eat one mince pie every day for the Twelve Days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve until the 5th of January. Make sure you buy a whole case of mince pies to ensure everyone a happy 2017!
The reasons mince pies are so intricately linked with Christmas is complex. With its original content of meat and fats, it was superb for eating in the lean, dark winter months. A warm mince pie would feed you well and keep you happy as the storms raged outside the window! The trio of spices used, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, is said to be symbolic of the gifts given to the Baby Jesus by the three wise men in Bethlehem. Originally, mince pies were often made in an oval shape, reminiscent of the crib in the manger where Christ was born, while the top represented the cloth he was swaddled in. Later on, different shapes became ways of showing off the skill of the best pastry makers, who would create intricate mince pies with stars, crescents, hearts, flowers and sugar knot gardens.
Mince pies today
It’s been a while since meat featured in the commercial sweet and spice mince pie treats we know and love. Today, the Luxury Mince Pies made by Walkers are filled with a warming spiced fruit mix with plenty of currants, sultanas, apples and candied peel. There's no meat in our mince meat pies and all our mince pies are suitable for vegetarians, and encased in the best quality shortcrust pastry, with just the right level of crumbliness. There’s also a mini mince pie version available, which are a bite-sized treat for canapéstyle desserts. And if you want to try something slightly different, the uniquely flavoured Orange and Cranberry Mince Pies are going down a treat, filled with plump cranberries, tangy orange peel, juicy vine fruits and warming spices.
It is still a keen tradition that children leave out mince pies for Father Christmas by the fireplace, often with a glass of whisky or brandy – and a carrot for Rudolph. (Read more about typical gifts for Santa around the world in this blog piece.) Share the joy of mince pies with everyone!
Enjoy your mince pies over Christmas!
Happy holidays from all of us at Walkers Shortbread.
FAQs
To show off their money, the rich would offer pies in various shapes, such as crescents and hearts, to show off their wealth. They became a popular treat around the festive period thanks to a tradition from the middle ages, which saw people eat a mince pie for 12 days from Christmas day to Twelfth Night.
What is the significance of mince pies at Christmas? ›
To show off their money, the rich would offer pies in various shapes, such as crescents and hearts, to show off their wealth. They became a popular treat around the festive period thanks to a tradition from the middle ages, which saw people eat a mince pie for 12 days from Christmas day to Twelfth Night.
When did they stop putting meat in mincemeat pie? ›
By the 18th century it was more likely to be tongue or even tripe, and in the 19th century it was minced beef. It was not until the late Victorian period and early 20th Century that mince pies dropped the meat and had all fruit fillings (albeit with suet). Even today there are traditions associated with mince pies.
Why do they call it mincemeat? ›
Mincemeat is a combination of chopped dried fruits, spices, sugar, nuts, distilled spirits, a fat of some type and sometimes meat. The name is a carryover from 15th century England when mincemeat did indeed have meat in the mix; in fact, the whole point of mincemeat was to preserve meat with sugar and alcohol.
What is the tradition of eating the 12 mince pies? ›
Symbolism and Tradition
Mince pies have long been associated with Christmas and are an integral part of holiday celebrations in many countries. In England, it is believed that eating mince pies on each of the twelve days of Christmas brings good luck for the coming year.
What is the pagan origin of mince pies? ›
In any case, meat and fruit were invariably included among the ingredients. Going back even further, however, there are some who believe mincemeat pie is based on an ancient pagan tradition of serving coffin-shaped cakes representing Osiris—the Egyptian god who, according to legend, died and was resurrected each year.
Did mince pies used to be coffin-shaped? ›
TAKE ONE COFFIN…
Our mince pies undoubtedly have medieval origins, although we would not immediately recognise them. Pie crusts were known as coffins, and used as a vessel to cook delicate foods or house pre-boiled meat fillings. Pastry was little more than flour mixed with water to form a mouldable dough.
What was the original purpose of mince pies? ›
Mincemeat originally came about as a good way of preserving meat, without salting, curing, smoking or drying it. In 1413, King Henry V served a mincemeat pie at his coronation. Henry the VII was fond of the meaty Christmas pie as a main dish, filled with minced meat and fruit.
Why do we leave mince pies at Christmas? ›
During medieval times it was common to mix sweet and savoury ingredients. Honey and dried fruits were pricey and hard to come by so using them in your meals was a sign of wealth. This made spiced pies a special treat reserved for important occasions like Easter or Christmas.
Do they eat mince pies in America? ›
Mincemeat pie is a dish that isn't very common in the American kitchen, which can lead to some confusion for cooks, even those on the Allrecipes staff.
The early mince pie was known by several names, including "mutton pie", "shrid pie" and "Christmas pie". Typically, its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Is it real mincemeat in mince pies? ›
Mince pies have been eaten as part of a traditional British Christmas since at least the 16th century. Then they were made of a spiced, sweet minced meat mixture (often lamb), but they are now commonly made with sweet mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and brandy.
Why is mincemeat so expensive? ›
Mincemeat isn't difficult to make, but it has a lot of ingredients, which can make it expensive to produce in small batches, and it requires at least a day's advance planning to let the ingredients sit.
What is the slang term for mince pies? ›
Mince pies = eyes
This is a term used widely in London even to this day, usually to describe a girl's features. Her eyes would be described as Minces, an even more slang term from the original mince pies.
What is mincemeat pie filling made of? ›
Historically, mincemeat pie did contain meat, such as mutton, beef, or even game meats, alongside fruits and spices. However, modern versions focus on a delectable, sweet blend of dried fruits, spices, and sometimes rum or brandy.
Why can't you eat mince pies on Christmas Day? ›
It has been claimed that eating the snack is illegal in England if done so on Christmas Day. The tradition comes from the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, when mince pies were banned at Christmas, along with other tasty treats. Cromwell wanted to tackle gluttony in England.
Who eats the most mince pies? ›
People in the South West eat the most mince pies in the UK, according to research by bakery chain Konditor. Having surveyed 2,000 people, the London-based company found that, on average, each person in the South West eats 24 mince pies across the festive period.
Why do mince pies have no meat? ›
The mince pie was originally filled with meat but it's believed that it wasn't until the late Victorian period and the early 20th century that mince pies shifted to a pie made from fruit fillings. Is it still illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas day?
What is the superstition about mince pies? ›
One superstition from the middle ages suggests that if you eat a mince pie every day from Christmas day to Twelfth Night (evening of the 5th January) you will be guaranteed happiness for the next 12 months mmmm!
What is the story behind mince pies? ›
Many believe the idea for the mince pie originated with Middle Eastern cuisine in the 12th century, when spices and fruit were often used in savory and sweet meat dishes. Before refrigeration, spices and sugars were used for preservation to slow down spoilage.
I didn't think mainstream supermarket mince pies had any alcohol in them. My kids scoff loads of them. If there is any evaporated or not it's a no go for a strict Muslim. If you can make them yourself, Robertsons mincemeat is alcohol free (we could buy it in Saudi).
Are mince pies religious? ›
The original mince pies were oblong crib shapes decorated with a baby Jesus on top. The contents represent the gifts of the Magi to the Christ child, spices and plump middle eastern fruits.
What is a coffin pie? ›
A coffin or coffyn referred to a container made of pastry, a precursor of the modern pie crust, and food was served in the coffin it had been cooked in. The first printed use of the word coffin as a box for a corpse appeared later, in the 16th century. Historians trace pies back to ancient times.
Can dogs eat mince pies? ›
At Christmas, with a variety of different foods and decorations on display, the number of hazards in the home can rise. One of those risks? The humble mince pie, due to the raisins, currants or sultanas inside. These contain tartaric acid which is toxic for dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Do Americans eat mince pies for Christmas? ›
In the US, there are no laws regulating what foods fictional characters can consume, transport or distribute. Mince pies are not commonly consumed in the US outside of the New England region. Perhaps if more Americans were familiar with them they would be banned. Or perhaps not, who can know.
Who invented the Christmas mince pie? ›
Many believe the idea for the mince pie originated with Middle Eastern cuisine in the 12th century, when spices and fruit were often used in savory and sweet meat dishes.
What were Christmas mince pies also known as due to their resemblance to Jesus cradle? ›
These were known as Crib Pies. During the Medieval Crusades the Crusaders returned to the UK with spices and these were gradually added to mince pies until over the years meat was fully replaced by the spices. At around this time it was thought that the shape changed from oblong to round and the size made smaller.
