Patrick Oconnell
The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese is a surprisingly polarizing topic. While some people swear by it, others are completely unfamiliar with the concept. The pairing seems to be particularly popular in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada and Britain. Interestingly, the tradition of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese appears to have originated in England during the 17th century when traditional fruit pies were first paired with dairy-based sauces or cheese. Over time, this evolved into the unique combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese that we know today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Origin Date | 17th century |
| Origin Description | Dairy-based sauces were used in pies, which later evolved into topping them with cheese |
| Apple Pie Origin | England, 14th century |
| Cheddar Cheese Origin | England |
| Combination Origin | North America, 1700s |
| Combination Origin Description | English settlers brought the combination to North America |
| Combination Origin Locations | New England, the Midwest, and other parts of the U.S. |
| Combination Popularity Locations | New England, the Midwest, parts of Canada and Britain |
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What You'll Learn
- The tradition of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century
- In the 14th century, English farmers began wrapping apples in inedible coffins, which were a pie prototype
- The pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese is especially popular in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada
- In some places, the slice of cheddar cheese is melted on top of the apple pie, kept cold, or served on the side
- The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese is considered polarizing, with some people loving it and others hating it
The tradition of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century
While the exact origins of this culinary tradition are unclear, it is believed that early settlers brought the custom of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese to North America, where it gained popularity in regions known for dairy farming and cheese production, such as New England and the American Midwest. In these areas, apple pie with cheddar cheese became a well-loved delicacy, with some people considering it a staple of their childhood.
The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese has also been observed in other parts of the world, including Canada and Britain. In Vermont, a state in the American Midwest, there is even a law requiring that apple pie be served with either ice cream, cold milk, or "a slice of cheddar cheese weighing a minimum of 1/2 ounce".
Today, the combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese remains a beloved and iconic pairing for many, especially in regions with strong dairy and apple production, such as New England. While some may find the idea of combining sweet and savoury flavours unusual, the tradition of eating apple pie with cheddar cheese has a long and fascinating history that can be traced back to 17th-century England.
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In the 14th century, English farmers began wrapping apples in inedible coffins, which were a pie prototype
The concept of having cheddar cheese with apple pie is believed to have originated in England. In the 14th century, English farmers began wrapping apples in inedible containers known as "coffins", which were a pie prototype. The idea of adding cheese to apple pie is believed to have evolved from the 17th-century trend of adding dairy-based sauces to pies, which eventually morphed into topping them with cheese.
In Yorkshire, for example, apple pie was served with Wensleydale cheese, which is likely how the phrase "an apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" originated. This tradition was carried over by English immigrants to the United States in 1697, particularly to the New England region, where they began using cheddar cheese instead of Wensleydale.
The pairing of apple pie with cheddar cheese has become a beloved tradition in certain regions of the United States, particularly in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada and Britain. The combination of warm, tangy cheddar cheese with a sweet and spicy apple pie creates a delightful contrast of flavours that has endured to this day, despite the rise in popularity of ice cream as a pie topping in the 20th century.
While the exact origins of the phrase are disputed, it is believed to have caught on in both England and the United States in the 19th century, reflecting a cultural collaboration between the two nations. The tradition of enjoying apple pie with cheddar cheese continues to be a source of delight and controversy, with some embracing the unique flavour combination while others remain hesitant to try it.
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The pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese is especially popular in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada
The pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese is a culinary tradition that has been around for centuries. While it is especially popular in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada, its origins can be traced back to England in the 17th century.
During this time in England, traditional fruit pies were often paired with dairy-based sauces or custards. Over time, this evolved into a tradition of topping pies with cheese, specifically cheddar cheese, which is a variety of cheese that originated in England. English settlers brought this culinary tradition with them to North America, and it gained popularity in regions with abundant dairy farming, such as New England and the Midwest.
In these regions, the pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese became deeply ingrained in the local culture and cuisine. In New England, it is not uncommon for restaurants to offer apple pie with cheddar cheese as a dessert option, and it is considered a staple in many families. The state of Vermont even has a law requiring proprietors of apple pie to serve it with a slice of cheddar cheese weighing a minimum of half an ounce.
The combination of sharp, salty cheddar cheese with the sweet, caramelized apples of an apple pie creates a unique blend of salty and sweet flavours that many people enjoy. While the tradition may seem unusual to those unfamiliar with it, it has a long history and a dedicated following in these regions.
The popularity of this pairing can also be attributed to the accessibility of cheese in these areas. With New England, Pennsylvania, and the Midwest being major centres of dairy farming and cheese production, it is only natural that cheese would find its way into local culinary traditions.
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In some places, the slice of cheddar cheese is melted on top of the apple pie, kept cold, or served on the side
The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese is a surprisingly polarising topic. While some people swear by it, others are horrified by the very idea. The pairing seems to have originated in England in the 17th century, when pies were often topped with dairy-based sauces, such as custard. Over time, this morphed into a tradition of topping pies with cheese, and the combination of apple pie and cheddar was born.
The tradition was then brought to North America by English settlers in the 1700s, and it took root in places where dairy farming flourished, such as New England and the Midwest. In these regions, apple pie and cheddar cheese became a beloved combination, with many people considering the dessert incomplete without a slice of cheddar on top.
While the combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese may seem strange to some, it is a tradition with a long history and a dedicated following, particularly in certain regions of the United States and England. So, the next time you're enjoying a warm slice of apple pie, why not give it a try? You might just find that the salty, savoury sharpness of the cheddar is the perfect complement to the sweet, gooey filling of the pie.
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The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese is considered polarizing, with some people loving it and others hating it
The combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese has certainly divided opinions, with some people loving the pairing and others hating it. While some people are accustomed to this unique delicacy, others are completely unaware of it.
The origins of this combination can be traced back to England in the 17th century, when traditional fruit pies were first paired with dairy-based sauces and, later, cheese. In fact, the phrase "an apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" is said to have originated in Yorkshire, England, where apple pie was served with Wensleydale cheese. English settlers then brought this culinary tradition to North America, and it gained popularity in regions with dairy farming and easy access to cheese, such as New England and the American Midwest.
The tradition of pairing apple pie with cheddar cheese has been passed down through generations, with some people considering it a staple of their childhood. In these regions, it is not uncommon to be asked, "With cheddar or ice cream?" when ordering apple pie for dessert. However, in other parts of the United States, particularly the South, this combination is less common and can be just as polarizing as pineapple on pizza.
The contrast between the salty, sharp cheddar and the sweet, caramelized apples creates a unique blend of flavours that some people find appealing. The addition of cheese to apple pie can be as simple as topping a slice of pie with a thin slice of cheddar, melting the cheese on top, or even incorporating cheese into the pie crust.
Whether loved or hated, the combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese has a long history and is considered a tradition in certain regions.
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Frequently asked questions
The combination of cheddar cheese and apple pie likely originated in England in the 17th century. At the time, dairy-based sauces were commonly used in pies, and eventually, people began topping them with cheese.
In the 17th century, traditional English fruit pies were topped with dairy-based sauces such as custard. Eventually, some folks decided to try out cheddar instead, and the rest was history.
The combination of cheddar cheese and apple pie is most popular in the American Midwest, New England, and parts of Canada and Britain. In Vermont, there is even a law requiring that apple pie be served with a slice of cheddar cheese.
