Quck answer

Pie is a popular dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries. The origins of pie can be traced back to ancient times. The idea of combining a crust with a filling can be found in various cultures around the world. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had their own versions of pie. The concept of pie was brought to Europe during the medieval period, where it became a staple in European cuisine. Over time, different types of pies emerged, including fruit pies, meat pies, and custard pies. Today, pie remains a beloved dessert enjoyed in many different forms and flavors.

---

Have you ever heard the expression “Easy as pie?” It means that something is very simple. But that might make you wonder, what is easy about pie? Well, here at Wonderopolis, our team believes that pie is easy to consume!

Pie is a baked dish with a crust. Sometimes the crust is at the bottom, but in other pies, it is at the top. Some pies even have a crust both on the top AND bottom!

Most commonly, people make the crust from pastry. Flour, salt, butter, and water are combined to make pastry dough. Some cooks also add sugar or cream to their dough. They then mold the mixture into a crust.

The crust is filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. Sweet fillings include fruits, nuts, and custards. Cherry, pecan, and coconut cream are all examples of sweet pies. Savory fillings can be meats, eggs, vegetables, or cheese. One type of meat pie is a chicken pot pie, which often includes peas and carrots.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had their own variations of pies. They invented the first pies as containers for holding and cooking meats and other fillings. The pie crust served as a dish. These initial pie crusts were thick and hard. Often people would eat the filling but not the tough crust.

The crust also helped keep the food fresh. When kept cool, the crust preserved the meat cooked inside. The meat could be eaten later. Pies also made it easier to store the cooked food.

As empires expanded, people brought pies to other parts of the world. Cooks came up with new types of pies with different ingredients. In Britain, cooks created Shepherd’s Pie. Instead of pastry, it has a potato crust on top. Settlers in America started making pies with fruits, like apples, that grew in their new home.

Cooks also began making individual pies from a single piece of dough. They would place the filling on one half, fold the dough over, and pinch it closed. The pies are then baked or fried. These small pies are also known as turnovers or hand pies.

There are various versions of hand pies all around the world. In England, there are Cornish pasties which are filled with beef, onions, and potatoes. Both Latin America and the Philippines have empanadas, which are made with chicken, pork, or fish. In Central and Southeast Asia, samosas are often triangular and filled with potatoes, lentils, or other vegetables.

With so many pies, you can probably think of both sweet and savory pies that you have eaten. What kinds of pie would you like to try next? Maybe you can visit a local restaurant or bakery with your family to see what kinds of pie are available!

Give It a Shot

Well, if you adore pie, give some of these fantastic activities a try to learn more:

No-Bake Dirt Pie Recipe

This No-Bake Dirt Pie recipe is simple to make, even though it doesn’t have a pastry shell. To start, make a shopping list and go to the market with an adult. Once you have all the ingredients, you can make this delicious pie for your family or friends.

Pie Charts and Data

Pie charts are a great way to represent parts of a whole. Conduct a survey with 10 people you know and ask them about their favorite type of pie. After collecting the data, create a pie chart to visually display the results. If you want to learn more about pie charts and create graphs, you can visit the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Kids’ Zone.

Share Your Love for Pie

Do you have a favorite type of pie? Is it sweet or savory? Write a review or an opinion piece to share your love for your favorite pie with others. You can share it with a friend or your teacher to spread the joy of pie.

Wonder Sources

• https://www.britannica.com/dictionary (accessed 19 Jan., 2023)
• https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/pie/633584 (accessed 3 Jan. 2023)
• https://kids.kiddle.co/Pie#Pastry (accessed 3 Jan. 2023)
• https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/piehistory.htm (accessed 3 Jan. 2023)
• https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/a-cultural-history-of-pie (accessed 6 Jan. 2023)
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/turnover-pie (accessed 6 Jan. 2023)
• https://thetakeout.com/hand-pies-around-the-world-from-empanadas-and-pasties-t-1839895574 (accessed 6 Jan. 2023)