Randy Chandler
Apple pie with cheddar cheese is a dessert that has been popular in the United States and England for centuries. The dish is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century, when it was common to use dairy-based sauces in pies, and eventually evolved into topping pies with cheese. The combination of sweet and salty flavours is loved by some and hated by others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The tradition of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese likely began in England in the 17th century, when dairy-based sauces were commonly added to pies. Early Dutch cookbooks from the Middle Ages also include recipes for apple pie. |
| Geography | The combination is particularly popular in the American Midwest, New England, and Vermont, as well as parts of England and Canada. |
| Preparation | The cheese can be melted on top of the pie, served cold, or on the side. It can also be added to the apple filling or used to make a savoury crust. |
| Variations | While sharp cheddar is traditional, other cheeses such as Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Roquefort can also be used. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The origin of apple pie with cheddar cheese
Apple pie with cheddar cheese is a dessert that has been polarizing public opinion for at least a century. The dessert is popular in the American Midwest, New England, and Vermont, where it is considered the state dish. It is also consumed in parts of England and Canada.
The earliest mention of the combination comes from American poet Eugene Field's late-1800s poem, "Apple Pie and Cheese," in which the author decries heretics trying to "dim the glory of apple pie and cheese," and the debate has raged ever since. However, the combination was likely born in England in the 17th century; a tradition of using dairy-based sauces in pies evolved into an affinity for topping them with cheese. In Yorkshire, for instance, apple pie was served with Wensleydale, which is likely how the phrase "an apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" began. The tradition then travelled to the United States with European settlers in the 1700s, who instead used cheddar.
Apple pie itself has a much longer history. A 14th-century recipe collection, the Forme of Cury, gives a recipe including good apples, good spices, figs, raisins, and pears in a "cofyn," or pastry casing. Dutch apple pie recipes date back to the Middle Ages, with an early Dutch-language cookbook from 1514, Een notabel boecxken van cokeryen ("A notable little cookery book"), documenting a simple recipe. Apple pie was also a common food in 18th-century Delaware, and it was eaten in Europe long before the European colonization of the Americas.
Cheddar Cheese: Understanding Fat Content and Flavor
You may want to see also
How to serve apple pie with cheddar cheese
Apple pie with cheddar cheese is a dessert that has been polarising opinions for a long time. While some people love the combination of sweet and salty, others are not so keen on it. The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese can be traced back to the 17th century in England. The tradition of using dairy-based sauces in pies evolved into topping them with cheese. The tradition then travelled to the United States with European settlers in the 1700s.
If you want to try this combination, here are some tips on how to serve apple pie with cheddar cheese:
- Top a slice of the pie with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. You can melt the cheese on top, keep it cold, or serve it on the side.
- Add cheese to the apple filling.
- Make a savoury cheddar crust.
- Try different types of cheese, such as gouda, parmesan, gruyère, or roquefort.
- Serve with milk or ice cream, as required by a 1999 Vermont statute.
Cheddar Cheese: Vegetarian-Friendly in the UK?
You may want to see also
Popularity in the US and England
While apple pie is not an American invention, the US has certainly laid claim to the iconic dessert. Apple pie was a common food in 18th-century Delaware, and by the 1900s, a New York Times article was claiming that apple pie was essentially American.
Apple pie with cheddar cheese is popular in the American Midwest and New England, particularly in Vermont, where it is considered the state dish. In these areas, there are many dairy farms, and they are known for both dairy and apple production.
In England, apple pie with cheddar or Wensleydale cheese is often eaten in the North. The tradition is believed to have started in Yorkshire, where apple pie was served with Wensleydale. It is thought that the phrase "an apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" originated here. However, some sources suggest that the phrase was created in the United States.
The combination of apple pie and cheese likely began in England in the 17th century, when dairy-based sauces were often added to pies. When English settlers arrived in the US in the 1700s, they brought this tradition with them, but instead of Wensleydale, they used cheddar.
Cheddar and Asiago Cheeses: A Tasty Comparison
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The taste and texture combination
The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese may seem like an unusual pairing, but it has a long history and a devoted following, particularly in the American Midwest, New England, and Vermont, as well as parts of England and Canada. The taste and texture combination of this iconic duo is what makes it so beloved by many.
The apple pie, often considered a comfort food, is typically associated with sweetness and flakiness. The filling is usually gooey, syrupy, and sweet, with a buttery, flaky crust. On the other hand, the sharp cheddar cheese brings a salty, savoury, and sharp contrast to the pie's sweetness. The orange slice of cheddar adds a nipping sharpness that balances the sugary and spiced apple filling.
The combination of flavours and textures creates a unique sensory experience. The salty, sharp cheese complements the sweet and buttery pie, creating a dynamic duo that delights the taste buds. The creaminess of the melted cheese can also add a textural contrast to the flaky pie crust.
While sharp cheddar is the traditional choice, other cheeses can also be used. For instance, Gouda offers nutty and caramelly notes, while Parmesan provides an even saltier twist. Gruyère, with its earthy, sweet, and creamy characteristics, makes for a complex and satisfying pairing. For those feeling adventurous, even a strong, aromatic blue cheese-like Roquefort could be crumbled over the pie for an intense flavour profile.
The versatility of this pairing is also worth noting. The cheese can be melted on top of the pie, kept cold, or served on the side, allowing individuals to customise their dessert experience. Additionally, cheese can be incorporated into the apple filling or used as a savoury cheddar crust for a more subtle infusion of flavours.
The history of apple pie and cheddar cheese is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, and the taste and texture combination has stood the test of time, continuing to intrigue and satisfy those who dare to indulge in this unexpected pairing.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Halal or Haram?
You may want to see also
Other types of cheese used
While sharp cheddar is the traditional choice of cheese to pair with apple pie, there are several other types of cheese that can be used to achieve a similar or even enhanced flavour profile.
Gouda, for example, offers nutty and caramelly notes that complement the apple pie quite nicely. Parmesan, another nutty option, brings a more intense salty flavour to the mix. Gruyère, on the other hand, is earthy, sweet, and creamy, resulting in a complex and intriguing combination. For those who enjoy stronger flavours, Roquefort, a mould cheese similar to blue cheese, can be crumbled over the pie for an intense aromatic experience.
The choice of cheese may also depend on the region and the availability of certain types of cheese. For instance, in Yorkshire, England, apple pie was traditionally served with Wensleydale cheese, while in the American Midwest and New England, particularly Vermont, cheddar cheese is the preferred option.
Sharp Cheddar and Colby Cheese: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese likely originated in England in the 17th century. At the time, it was common to use dairy-based sauces in pies, which eventually evolved into topping pies with cheese.
Apple pie was brought to the United States by European immigrants in 1697. It became a common food in 18th-century Delaware and was considered a symbol of American prosperity.
The combination is beloved by many, especially in the American Midwest and New England, and in parts of England and Canada. However, it is also considered a polarizing combination, with some people expressing confusion or dislike for it.
The easiest way to serve apple pie with cheddar cheese is to top a slice of pie with a slice of sharp cheddar. The cheese can be melted on top, kept cold, or served on the side. Alternatively, cheese can be added to the apple filling or used to make a savoury cheddar crust.
