Andy Montoya
Wisconsin is known as America's Dairyland, and its love affair with cheese is well-documented. So, it's no surprise that the state has a law that requires apple pie to be served with a slice of cheese, right? Well, it's not quite that simple. While there is a law that requires a good-faith effort to serve apple pie with a glass of milk, a slice of cheddar cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this law was passed in Vermont, not Wisconsin. In fact, the myth that Wisconsin has a law mandating cheese with apple pie stems from a law in effect from 1935 to 1937 that required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals, but it never specified apple pie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Wisconsin |
| Year | 1935-1937 |
| Food Item | Apple Pie |
| Mandatory Addition | Cheese |
| Other Additions | Butter, Milk, Ice Cream |
| Current Status | Not a law anymore |
| Similar Laws | Vermont (1999), Illinois |
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What You'll Learn
Wisconsin's dairy pride
Wisconsin is known as America's "Dairy State" and is famous for its cheese. So much so that it has a legal definition of "highly pleasing" for any cheese produced in the state. The state also has a formal definition of "cheese" that calls out specific varieties that fit the description, including brick, muenster, and cheddar.
Wisconsin's love for cheese is so strong that it has been the subject of some unusual laws. One of the most well-known, and often cited, is the law that allegedly required all apple pie in Wisconsin to be served with a slice of cheese. While this law is just a myth, it is based on a real law that was in effect from 1935 to 1937. This law required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals, but it did not specifically mention apple pie.
Despite the lack of a specific law requiring apple pie to be served with cheese, many Wisconsinites still enjoy this combination. They argue that the creamy, salty cheese complements the sweet, tart apple pie. In fact, some locals take pride in this unique tradition, seeing it as a nod to Wisconsin's status as a major cheese producer.
While the law requiring cheese to be served with apple pie may not be real, Wisconsin does have other laws that protect the integrity and reputation of its cheese industry. These laws may be complex, but they ensure that Wisconsin's dairy products are of the highest quality and continue to be a source of pride for the state.
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The state's unique culture
Wisconsin, America's Dairyland, is known for its love affair with cheese. While there is no law that makes it illegal to serve apple pie without cheese, there are some interesting connections between the two.
First, let's delve into Wisconsin's unique culture and its relationship with cheese and dairy products. Wisconsin has a long history of dairy farming and cheese production, earning it the nickname "the Dairy State." The state has a legal definition of "highly pleasing" for any cheese originating from Wisconsin, and its cheese varieties are carefully regulated with specific guidelines to protect the integrity and reputation of Wisconsin cheese. This showcases the state's commitment to producing high-quality cheese.
In the past, Wisconsin had some unusual laws related to dairy products. From 1895 to 1967, Wisconsin banned the sale and use of margarine, leading to what became known as the Wisconsin Oleo Wars. While the total ban was lifted in the 1960s, some restrictions on margarine sale and use still remain today. One such restriction prohibits serving margarine as a butter substitute in restaurants unless specifically ordered by a customer.
Now, let's turn to the relationship between apple pie and cheese. While it is not illegal to serve apple pie without cheese in Wisconsin, there is a popular belief that the state requires apple pie to be served with a slice of cheese. This belief may have originated from a law enacted in 1935 that required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals. Although this law was repealed in 1937, it created an enduring association between cheese and apple pie in the public imagination. Many Wisconsinites still swear by the combination, arguing that creamy, salty cheese complements the sweet, tart apple pie.
In conclusion, while it is not illegal to serve apple pie without cheese in Wisconsin, the state's unique culture and traditions are deeply intertwined with cheese and dairy products. The state's laws and regulations surrounding cheese and its historical connection between apple pie and cheese showcase Wisconsin's pride in its dairy industry and contribute to its distinctive character.
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The law's origin
The origin of the law requiring cheese to be served with apple pie can be traced back to Wisconsin's dairy industry and its reputation as America's "Dairy State" or America's "Dairyland". Wisconsin has a strong association with cheese and is a major producer of cheese and other dairy products. The state has numerous guidelines and regulations in place to protect the integrity and reputation of its cheese industry.
In 1935, a law was enacted in Wisconsin that required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals. This law, known as the 1935 Laws of Wis., ch. 106, was in effect from June 1935 to March 1937. While this law did not specifically mention apple pie, it contributed to the perception that cheese was an essential component of any meal, including dessert.
The law itself was repealed in 1937, but its impact on Wisconsin's culinary culture remained. Many people in Wisconsin still enjoy the combination of apple pie and cheese, believing that the creamy and salty cheese complements the sweet and tart apple pie. This law may have also influenced the perception of apple pie and cheese as a traditional pairing, not just in Wisconsin but in other parts of the United States as well.
In 1999, Vermont passed a law designating apple pie as the state pie and encouraged serving it with a glass of cold milk, a slice of Cheddar cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This further reinforced the cultural association between apple pie and cheese, even though it was not a mandatory requirement.
While the exact origin of the specific law requiring cheese with apple pie is unclear, it appears to be a combination of Wisconsin's dairy heritage, the state's unique culture and traditions, and the enduring popularity of the apple pie and cheese pairing among its residents.
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The law's enforcement
In the state of Wisconsin, US, it was once illegal to serve apple pie without cheese. This law was in effect from 1935 to 1937 and was a nod to the state's dairy industry and its status as a major cheese producer. The law required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals, including apple pie. While the law is no longer in effect, it is still a point of pride for many Wisconsinites, and some locals swear by the combination of creamy, salty cheese with sweet, tart apple pie.
The law itself is quite detailed and specific. Wisconsin has numerous guidelines and regulations to protect the integrity and reputation of its cheese industry. The state has a formal definition of "cheese", which includes specific varieties such as brick, muenster, Cheddar, Colby, granular, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, and washed curd. The ATCP rules define 18 terms for flavour characteristics and 20 for body and texture characteristics, ensuring that any cheese produced in the state meets the legal definition of "highly pleasing".
While the apple pie law may seem quirky and outdated, it reflects Wisconsin's unique culture and traditions. The state takes its dairy industry seriously, and even has a law prohibiting the serving of margarine in public eating places as a substitute for butter unless specifically ordered by a customer. This law, known as the Wisconsin Oleo Wars, was in effect from 1895 to 1967 and some restrictions on margarine sale and use remain today.
In contrast to Wisconsin, the state of Vermont has passed a law requiring a good-faith effort to serve apple pie with either a glass of cold milk, a 1/2 ounce or larger slice of Cheddar cheese, or a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. This law, passed in 1999, designated the apple as the state fruit and apple pie as the state pie. While Vermont's law does not specifically mention cheese, it is included as an option to accompany the state's official dessert.
While the enforcement of these laws may vary, they highlight the unique cultural and culinary traditions of different states in the US, particularly when it comes to their beloved apple pie.
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The law's repeal
The laws repeal.
There is no federal law that requires apple pie to be served with cheese. However, there are some state laws that come close. For example, in Wisconsin, there was a law in effect from 1935 to 1937 that required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals. This law did not specifically mention apple pie, but it is thought to be the origin of the myth that it is illegal to serve apple pie without cheese in Wisconsin.
Vermont also passed a law in 1999 designating apple pie as the state pie and requiring that it be served with a glass of cold milk, a slice of Cheddar cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This law is still in effect, but it only applies to Vermont.
While there is no federal or state law that specifically makes it illegal to serve apple pie without cheese, there are some local regulations that may apply. For example, in 2023, a news article mentioned a law in Wisconsin that requires public restaurants to serve apple pie with a slice of cheese. However, this law is rarely enforced, and most restaurants in the state serve apple pie with or without cheese.
It's important to note that the laws and regulations regarding food service can vary from state to state and even between localities. So, while there is no blanket rule requiring apple pie to be served with cheese, there may be specific cases where local regulations come into play. As such, it is always a good idea to be aware of the local laws and regulations when serving food to the public.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in Wisconsin, it is illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without a slice of cheese on top. However, the law is rarely enforced.
Vermont passed a law in 1999 designating apple pie as the state pie. The law also requires a good-faith effort to serve apple pie with either a glass of cold milk, a 1/2 ounce or larger slice of Cheddar cheese, or a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Yes, there was a law in Wisconsin from 1935 to 1937 that required restaurants to serve a small amount of cheese and butter with meals. However, this law did not specifically mention apple pie.
The exact origin of this law is unclear. However, it is believed to be related to Wisconsin's status as a major cheese producer and its dairy pride.
While some locals swear by the combination of creamy, salty cheese with sweet, tart apple pie, others view the law as a quirky relic of a bygone era. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
