One of the most popular festive traditions is eating mince pies, but the more we look at it, the stranger it seems. For one, the pies themselves do not match the name. Then, there is the lack of an obvious connection to Christmas.
This blog will explain why we as Brits love to eat mince pies over the festive season.
The origins
The tradition began during the Middle Ages – although the pies were somewhat different back then. They were bigger, shaped like a rectangle and contained actual mincemeat. They were also sometimes baked in the shape of a manger and were called ‘Christmas pies.’ The other ingredients were spices and fruits, but they were essentially savoury in flavour.
The connection with Christmas is therefore a longstanding one, just as with Christmas lights and trees. In this country, they are believed to bring good fortune if eaten across the 12 days of Christmas.
A temporary setback
Like many festive traditions, these pies fell victim to the Puritans after they took control of the country during the 17th century. They were banned, but when the monarchy was restored, so were the mince pies.
A taste evolution
Mince pies quickly became popular again, but over time they underwent changes. Mincemeat gradually became less important and was rarely used by the 19th century. It was replaced by suet – although the name stayed the same.
During the Victorian period, they represented luxury, but as the 20th century progressed, they returned to being a populist taste.
Remember when you bite into a mince pie this Christmas, you’re not just enjoying a sweet treat – you’re taking part in a centuries-old tradition!
