The history of the mince pie
The mince pie is one of the nation’s favourite treats at Christmas. So much so, that they start appearing on supermarket shelves in late September/early October.
These days, they are filled with fruit, often soaked in brandy and flavoured with citrus or mild spices. However, originally, they were a savoury snack.
Rectangular pies
During the Tudor times, mince pies were rectangular, shaped like a manger, often with a pastry baby Jesus on the lid. They were also made from 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his disciples. They included lamb or mutton to represent the shepherds and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, for the Wise Men.
In the Middle Ages it was quite common to mix meat and sweet ingredients.
Dropping the meat
It’s difficult to know when meat was dropped from the mince pie. In Medieval and Tudor times, the chosen meat used was often lamb or veal. By the 18th century it was most likely tripe or tongue and in the 19th century it was minced beef.
It is thought that around the late Victorian period, and early 20th century, that meat was dropped and substituted for a fruit filling, albeit with suet, which is animal fat.
Mince pie traditions
The sweet treat we enjoy is still steeped in tradition and you could bring back luck into your home if you flout the ‘rules’. When making your mincemeat mixture, for good luck, it should be stirred in a clockwise direction. You should also always make a wish when eating the first mince pie of the season and you should never cut one with a knife!
Pre-order your mince pies
Too busy to make your own mince pies this year but like to have something more homely than mass produced supermarket ones? We’re now taking pre-orders for festive mince pies in-store or online here (link to https://communibakes.co.uk/product-category/christmas-bakes/.)
- Classic mince pies – rich, shortcrust pastry mince pies packed with our homemade mincemeat and topped with a little star of pastry – £1.50 each or 12 for £15.
- Orange mince pies – orange sweet shortcrust pastry, deep filled with our homemade mincemeat, with a secret little teaspoon of sweet orange cheesecake inside before topping with a pastry lid – £2 each or six for £10.
- Macaroon topped mince pies – our rich, shortcrust pastry, deep filled with our homemade mincemeat, with a whisked almond meringue top and sprinkled with flaked almonds – £2 each or six for £10.
We will be taking orders for mince pies in the bakery or online until December 17, however they will be on the counter throughout December.