How America Took Britain's Greatest Food Group and Made It Dessert

I wanted to know. I did some research. Here’s the scoop. The difference comes down to timing. It was all about the Sugar Revolution.

When sugar became cheap and available, British pie culture was already set in stone. American pie culture was just getting started.

By the 1700s, Britain had Caribbean sugar colonies. Sugar prices dropped and it became mainstream. But savory meat pies were already the norm in Britain. These hearty pies served as main meals, not desserts. The tradition was too established to change.

America was different. The colonies developed their pie culture during this sugar boom. When sugar became widely available, American bakers embraced it. They made simple sweet fillings with basic ingredients. American pie culture grew up alongside increased sugar availability.

American colonists also had access to abundant fruits—apples, berries, pumpkins. They had cheaper maple syrup  and molasses.

Britain kept its savory pie tradition. Steak and kidney pie, shepherd's pie, and meat pies remained central to British cuisine. These pies were substantial meals that fed working families.

America went the other direction. We became sweet pie people. 

Don't say you don't learn stuff from Pi Man.