Why Are Pies Round Tradition Practicality

Pies are so many things to so many people. To some they’re patriotic, they’re nostalgic, and to some, they’re an extra hassle when the holidays roll around. But there’s one thing we all know about pies, whether we like them or not. Pies are round, and there is no other shape for them.

Have you ever wondered why pies are round in the first place? Why are they so consistently round? Can you find any other baking pans, that aren’t round? Let’s take a look.

Why are pies round?

Pies are round for two important reasons: tradition, and practicality. Any baked item (pie included) bakes from the outside in, so a round shape will bake uniformly, as opposed to squares or stars, or hearts. A round shape is much easier to form with your hands, as was the case in antiquity.

As for tradition, pies have always been round, and nobody questioned it. There have been changes, like pies becoming shallow and having all kinds of sweet fillings, but the shape was always a circle.

A short history of pies

Pies are very, very old. The very first civilization to invent pies is unknown, because this is a common way of cooking meals. We have a lot of documented cases of meat pies, dating back to the Roman empire. This was a very rudimentary pie, that called for meat in a baking dish, and it was covered with a pie crust.

The curst was there to stop the meat from dehydrating too much, and it wasn’t meant to be eaten, though we assume some people did. This method of cooking meat became fairly popular, and it soon morphed into what is known as the French galette.

That is a free-form type of pie, where the crust is on the bottom, the filling is on top, and the sides of the crust are rolled or folded partway up the filling. It looks very much like a contemporary open-faced pie, without the baking dish. They can sometimes be completely covered, like a pastry.

In Europe, most pies were either of French (galette) influence or English. The English pies were the tall, thick ones that has several types of meats in them. As the Pilgrims settled in America, they brought along the pie recipe.

This is where the shallow, open-faced pie was born. Sugar and fruit became easier to find and widely available as time went on, so pies shifted from meat (savory) to sweet, with fruits or custard.

Why is apple pie so popular in America?

The reason apple pie was the most popular pie in America is that apples are stored very well over winter, and they could easily be dried or turned into applesauce if need be. Since most homes have pie fairly often, apples easily became the filling of choice. The meat was not as easy to get a hold of as apples, and it was easy to stretch the content by adding more apples.

In short, the current love affair with apple pie is the result of harsh, hard winters where apples were the most common item. In northern states, pumpkin pie was the same thing, with pumpkins abundant and storing very well over winter (winter squash).

Can a pie be square?

You can try and make a square pie, but you risk getting burnt edges (the four points). This is because they’re exposed to more heat and the moisture will evaporate much faster in corners.

A round shape ensures all sides of the pie are equally dry and crispy. Any other shape is likely to burn at the edges.

Does pie need a top crust?

Top crusts on pie are there to lock moisture in, and allow the filling to simmer. You usually find it on pies that want to soften their filling, like apple pie or cherry pie.

Another advantage of a top crust is that it keeps all the juices inside the pie, not letting them bubble over the edge.

Does this mean all pies need a top crust? No, quite a few pies allow an open face. These are usually very moist pies that need to dry out. For example, custard pie has an open face, as does pumpkin pie, or pecan pie. These pies rely on the filling to solidify, and if they kept all their initial moisture, you’d have a hard time cutting into them.

The case for lattice tops

What about lattice tops? We’re not sure if lattice tops were first made because there wasn’t enough dough for the crust, or because a very creative cook decided to make that pie look extra pretty.

But there’s one thing a lattice crust does: it allows the filling to evaporate, while still providing a nice, crispy crust. You have a much lower chance of getting a soggy top crust with a lattice.

Even if you’re not using this type of crust, and only use a full top, you still need to cut a few small holes at the top. Otherwise, you risk the steam and juices breaking the edges of the pie.

Whatever kind of top you use for your pie, it’s always going to be a round shape. It’s simply the best shape to bake in because everything ends up cooking evenly.

A pie is a baked dish consisting of a crust and filling. It is usually served hot or cold. A pie is generally made from pastry dough, but other ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, nuts, and spices can be added. Pies are traditionally eaten with dessert or as part of a meal.

To so many individuals, pies are so many emotions. Some people have been patriotic, some nostalgic, and some have a bit more trouble when they are going on holiday. But we all know one thing about pies, whether or not we want them. Pies are round, and they have no other form. Have you ever wondered why pies are all around? Why are they rounded like this? Is it possible to locate other bakers that aren’t around? Let’s have a look. Let’s have a look.

Why are pies round or circular?

Pies are round because the shape was chosen for practical reasons. The first reason is that it makes sense. If you were making an apple pie, would you make it in a square box? No! You’d probably use something circular instead.

This also applies to any kind of food. For example, if you’re baking cookies, wouldn’t you bake them in circles rather than squares? Of course you would.

For two key reasons, pies are round: history and convenience. Every baked product (including) is baked from the outside, so it bakes consistently in a circular shape, in contrast to squares, stars or hearts. A circular form is considerably easier, like in antiquity, to create with your hands. Traditionally, pies were always circular, and nobody really asked about it. It was modified as pieces became shallow and contain all sorts of delicious fillings, but the form was always circular.

History of pies

The earliest known evidence of pies dates back to ancient Egypt. In fact, there are several theories regarding how the word "pie" came into existence. One theory suggests that the name comes from the Greek word pita meaning small cake.

Another theory says that the term originated from the Latin word panis which means bread. However, both these theories do not explain where the idea of using a circle came from. In medieval times, pies were often used as gifts during weddings.

In fact, pies are very, very ancient. The very first culture to develop pastries is unclear, as this is a widespread method of preparing foods. We have a number of documented meat pies from the Roman Empire. This was a very primitive pie, which in a bakery dish required meat, and was topped with a pie crust. The curst was too strong to prevent the meat from becoming dehydrated and it was not meant actually to be eaten, although we suppose that some individuals did. This cooking procedure grew rather popular and soon became the so-called French galette.

The crust is on the floor, the pad is on the top, and the side of the crust is rolling or folded part of the padding. This is a free-form pie. It appears like a contemporary open pie, sans a baking platter. Sometimes they can be coated entirely, like a pastry. Most pies in Europe were influenced by French (galette) or English. The English pastries were the big, thick ones which contain various sorts of meats. While in America the pilgrims took up the pastry recipe.

What makes apple pie so popular in the United States?

Apple Pie has been around since at least 1750s when John Adams wrote his diary entry describing eating one while visiting England. He described it as being made out of apples, sugar, flour, butter, eggs and spices. Since then, Apple Pie has become synonymous with American cuisine.

It’s no wonder why Americans love their apple pie. There are many different types of apple pies available today. Some people prefer sweetened varieties, others choose savory options. But whatever type you decide upon, make sure you get the best quality ingredients possible. There are two main categories of apple pies – those containing an actual filling and those without any sort of filling. Those who enjoy a slice of apple pie for dessert will probably opt for the former category. If you want something more substantial, however, you should go for the latter option.

Apple pie was the most popular pie in America because apples kept well in the refrigerator and could be dried or converted into applesauce if needed. Because most people eat pie on a regular basis, apple became the filling of choice. Meat was more difficult to come by than apples, and it was simple to increase the content by adding additional apples.

Is it possible for a pie to be square?

Yes! A square pie is just what its name implies: a pie shaped like a rectangle. Square pies are usually baked in a rectangular shape, but there are also round versions. They may be filled with fruit, custard, mincemeat, jam, jelly, chocolate cream, ice cream, etc., depending on your preference.

You may try to bake a square pie, but you may get burned borders (the four points). That’s because the moisture evaporates in the corners faster and more heat. A circular shape makes sure that the pie is as dry and crispy on all sides. Any other form can burn on the margins.

Does pie need a top crust?

Pie needs a bottom crust. Top crust only adds flavor and looks pretty. You don’t have to use a top crust unless you’re making a fancy presentation. However, if you do add a top crust, remember not to overbake it. Overcooking will cause the crust to lose its crispiness.

How long does it take to cook a pie?

Cook time depends on how much food you put inside the pie shell. It takes about 20 minutes per inch of thickness.

For example, a 9-inch pipe would require 45 minutes of cooking time. So, if you wanted to know exactly how long it’ll take to cook a particular size pie, simply multiply the number of inches times the number of minutes required.

Conclusion

So, the people out there with food curiosities, now you know why do pies are shaped around. These hot food or cold food are just the best to experience.