What is a mince pie?
Q: What is a mince pie?
A: A mince pie is a small British fruit-based sweet pie that is usually served during the Christmas season.
Q: Where did the ingredients for mince pies originate?
A: The ingredients for mince pies can be traced to the return of European crusaders from the Holy Land, where Middle Eastern methods of cooking, which sometimes combined meats, fruits and spices, were popular at the time.
Q: What other names have been used for mince pies in history?
A: In history, mince pies have also been known as mutton pie, shrid pie and Christmas pie.
Q: What are typical ingredients in a modern day mince pie?
A: Typical ingredients in a modern day mince pie include minced meat, suet, a range of fruits and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Q: How did spices become part of traditional recipes for mince pies?
A: Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg became part of traditional recipes for mince pies "in token of the offerings of the Eastern Magi".
Q: What shape were early versions of mince pies typically made in?
A: Early versions of mince pies were typically made in an oblong shape.
Q: Why was this particular shape chosen?
A: This particular shape was chosen because it was meant to imitate Jesus's crib or 'cratch'.
