By: Meadow Mellon As American as apple pie is, it has a surprisingly un-American history. Apple pie’s origins began in Europe, so how did it become one of America's classics? The fact is that apples weren’t even native to North America until Columbus brought them from Europe along with cinnamon and nutmeg. “Apple pie was brought along by the culinary influences of France,” says Overdeep from Southern Living. “There were also influences from the Ottoman Empire and the Netherlands,” says Rossi Anastopoulo from 52. In colonial times, apples were actually referred to as winter bananas or melt-in-the-mouth.
The early settlers of Jamestown brought along European apple seeds and cuttings with them. The only native apple at the time was the crab apple, which was said to be a poor excuse for malus domestica or the domestic apple tree. The first apples were intended to make cider and not made to eat because they were so tart. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, “They [the settlers] usually only used apples to make cider. It was more preferable to water and easier to produce than beer.” Later, due to cross pollination, there were over 14,000 varieties of apples, but only some of those varieties were fit to be made into apple pie. The phrase “as American as apple pie” came much later. “[Apple pie] became a staple of America...during World War II when soldiers were asked why they were going to war, they would say ‘apple pie and Mom,’” says Travel Mamas. Apple pie represents America, but not because it originated here. The mixtures of cultures that brought apple pie to America is why it is representative. Southern Living says, “Just like apples, we are transplants.” This is the history of a staple for American dessert. It is amazing that this wonderful food came from a mixture of so many different cultures.
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