Randy Chandler
The combination of cheese and pie elicits strong reactions from people. Some love it, some hate it, and some are simply confused by it. While apple pie is not an American invention, the concept of pairing it with cheese may have originated in England and was later brought to the United States by European settlers. In the US, the practice is more common in the Northeast and Midwest, whereas in Southern states like Mississippi, putting cheese on pie is almost unheard of. People who enjoy cheese on their apple pie appreciate the contrast between the sweetness of the pie and the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese. However, those who dislike the combination may find the idea of putting stinky old cheese on a delicious dessert unappetizing. Ultimately, whether one chooses to put cheese on their pie comes down to personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Region | The combination of pie and cheese is common in the Northeast and Midwest of the US, as well as in England. |
| History | The tradition of eating pie with cheese dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries in England. It was later brought to the US by European settlers. |
| Cheese Type | Cheddar is the most popular cheese to pair with pie, but Wensleydale, Roquefort, Cheshire, and Gruyère are also used. |
| Preparation | Cheese can be added to pie in various ways: melted on top, baked into the crust, or served on the side. |
| Opinions | The combination of pie and cheese is controversial, with some people loving it and others hating it. |
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What You'll Learn
Apple pie is not an American invention
Apple pie is a longstanding symbol of America, but the dessert did not originate in the country, nor did the apples. Apples are native to Asia and were brought to America by European settlers. The first apple varieties raised in the United States were intended for cider, not eating, and were more tart.
The first recorded recipe for apple pie was written in England in 1381 and called for figs, raisins, pears, and saffron in addition to apples. In the 14th century, English farmers began wrapping apples in inedible pastry containers known as "coffins", a pie prototype. Apple pie was brought to the colonies by the English, Dutch, and Swedes during the 17th and 18th centuries. There are also recipes for Dutch apple pies as far back as 1514.
The concept of apple pie only reached the United States in 1697 through European immigrants. By 1800, some of the 14,000 varieties of apple were a good fit for apple pie. In the 18th century, apple pie was a common food in Delaware. By the 19th and 20th centuries, apple pie had become a symbol of American prosperity and national pride.
The association of apple pie with America was further cemented during World War II, when American soldiers told journalists that they were fighting for "mom and apple pie". Thus, the phrase "as American as mom and apple pie" came to symbolise something as being "typically American".
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Cheese on apple pie is a controversial topic
Proponents of apple pie with cheese argue that the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese complement the sweetness of the pie, creating a delicious sweet-savory contrast. They also point to the historical pairing of cheese with fruit, which was often served together at the end of meals to aid digestion. In addition, some people believe that baking the cheese into the pie crust or filling enhances the overall flavour and texture of the dish.
On the other hand, those who oppose the idea of cheese on apple pie find the combination unappetizing and unnecessary. They prefer traditional toppings such as ice cream, whipped cream, or a crumb topping. Some people even find the suggestion of putting cheese on apple pie shocking or bizarre, especially in certain regions where it is not a common practice. Cultural and regional differences play a significant role in shaping these preferences, as seen in the varied responses across different states in America.
The type of cheese used also varies, with sharp cheddar being the most popular choice, while others experiment with Wensleydale, Roquefort, Cheshire, or Gruyère. The method of preparation differs as well, with some people melting the cheese on top of the pie, adding it to the filling, baking it into the crust, or simply serving it on the side.
Regardless of personal preferences, the controversy surrounding cheese on apple pie showcases the diverse and creative ways people enjoy their food. It also highlights the strong emotional connection that food can evoke, with some people having strong opinions and traditions associated with their preferred toppings.
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The cheese-apple pie connection traces back to England
The cheese-apple pie connection is a controversial topic that has polarised many. While some people love the combination, others are left confused and disgusted. The tradition of pairing apple pie with cheese, specifically sharp cheddar, can be traced back to England.
Apple pie is believed to have originated in England as early as the 14th century. In 1390, English recipes for apple pie were influenced by culinary techniques from France, the Netherlands, and the Ottoman Empire. English farmers from this period are also known for wrapping apples in inedible "coffins," which are considered prototypes of pies. In the 17th and 18th centuries, English pies were often topped with a dairy-based sauce, such as custard. It is believed that during this time, some people began experimenting with cheddar cheese as a topping, and thus, the apple pie-cheese combination was born. This tradition eventually spread to what is now considered the American Northeast and Midwest, likely brought over by European settlers to the New World.
In the present day, apple pie with cheddar cheese remains a popular combination in certain regions of the United States, particularly in the American Midwest and New England. In Vermont, it is considered the state dish, and a state law mandates that a "good faith effort" be made to serve apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese. However, in Southern states, this combination is less common, and apple pie is more frequently served with ice cream or other toppings.
The apple pie-cheese pairing may have originated from the medieval practice of serving cheese with fruit and nuts at the end of meals to aid digestion. This tradition has persisted in some countries, where a cheese course is still popular. While the combination of apple pie and cheese may be viewed as unusual or unappetising by some, proponents of this pairing highlight the contrast between the sweetness of the pie and the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a unique sweet-savory flavour profile.
The apple pie, with or without cheese, has become a significant dessert in many countries, including the United States, where it has been associated with American culture, prosperity, and national pride since the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Streusel is a popular topping for Dutch apple pie
While some people enjoy a slice of cheese with their apple pie, others argue that streusel is a more popular topping for this dessert. Streusel is a crumbly topping made with butter, sugar, and flour. It is often used on Dutch apple pie, which has a single flaky, buttery bottom crust and a crumb topping.
The Dutch apple pie is an adaptation of the traditional apple pie, which has a pie crust on the top and bottom. Dutch apple pie is said to be much older than the cheese slice option, with an early Dutch cookbook from the 1500s featuring this recipe. Streusel is a faster option than a double-crust pie, which requires lattice work that can be time-consuming and needs refrigeration.
The cheese and apple pie combination is a controversial topic, with some people loving it and others hating it. The tradition reportedly dates back to the 17th century in England, where a dairy-based sauce often topped pies. Settlers brought this tradition to the United States, and it spread to the Northeast and Midwest regions. In these regions, it is common to find apple pie served with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, with some even baking the cheese into the pie crust or filling.
However, in the South, you are more likely to see apple pie served with ice cream or enjoyed without any toppings. Some people may find the idea of cheese on apple pie unappetizing, preferring the sweetness of the pie on its own or with a scoop of ice cream. Ultimately, whether to top apple pie with cheese or streusel is a matter of personal preference, with both options having their own fans and critics.
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People in the Southern US do not put cheese on apple pie
While apple pie and cheddar cheese is a well-known combination in the US, it is not a widely accepted pairing in the Southern states. The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese is believed to have originated in England and was brought over by European settlers in the 17th century. It then spread to New England and the Upper Midwest, where dairy and apples were produced.
The Southern states have their own unique food combinations, such as buttermilk and cornbread, pear-and-mayonnaise salad, and Coca-Cola with peanuts. However, they draw the line at putting cheese on apple pie. A Southerner is more likely to ask for ice cream, whipped cream, or even just cream with their apple pie, rather than cheese.
Some people in the South may be so averse to the idea of cheese on apple pie that they find it shocking, as evidenced by a Mississippi chef's comment, "Oh, God, no! They'd put you away in a home." This sentiment is echoed by a reader of the Los Angeles Times, who felt that the idea of pairing cheese with apple pie was bizarre.
Instead of cheese, Southerners may opt for streusel, a faster and easier alternative to the lattice work of a double-crust pie. Streusel is a popular topping for Dutch apple pie, a recipe that dates back to the 1500s.
While the combination of apple pie and cheese may be beloved by some, it is clear that this tradition has not gained widespread acceptance in the Southern US, where it is seen as a strange and even confusing pairing.
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Frequently asked questions
While some people like to put cheese on apple pie, others find the combination unappealing. People in the Southern United States, for example, prefer to top their apple pie with ice cream rather than cheese.
The type of cheese used in apple pie is typically a sharp cheddar, although other varieties such as Wensleydale, Roquefort, Cheshire, and Gruyère have also been used.
There are several ways to add cheese to apple pie. Some people grate it into the filling, bake it into the crust, melt it on top, or serve it on the side.
