Did Florida invent Key lime pie?

Florida, specifically the Key West area, is widely credited with inventing Key lime pie, evolving from simple, no-bake "icebox" recipes using local key limes, condensed milk, and egg yolks before refrigeration. However, a competing theory suggests the Borden Company in New York popularized a similar "Magic Lemon Cream Pie" recipe in 1931, which Floridians then adapted with key limes, leading to a debate over its true origin, though Key West traditions date back to the 1890s.

Did key lime pie originate in Florida?

The Florida story goes that early settlers in Key West, due to lack of refrigeration, created a simple no-bake pie using sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and key lime juice. In 2006, Florida passed statute 15.052, which designated key lime pie as the official Florida state pie.

Is key lime a Florida thing?

Today the term “key lime” is a misnomer as many of the key limes found in the market are grown outside of the Florida Keys in Mexico and Central America. The true Florida key limes remaining in the modern day are grown in backyard gardens and through small farms in Florida.

Where does the key lime pie come from originally?

Key lime pie originated in the Florida Keys in the late 1800s, evolving from simple no-bake concoctions by sponge fishermen using key limes, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, with the popular "Aunt Sally" legend crediting a cook for William Curry with perfecting it, though definitive proof is elusive, with some suggesting links to earlier lemon meringue recipes. The pie became an iconic Florida dessert, officially named the state pie in 1994.
 

What is the national pie of Florida?

On July 1st, 2006 both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate passed legislation selecting the “Key lime pie” as the official pie of the state of Florida. It is highly likely that the first Key lime pie was created by “Aunt Sally,” the cook of a ship salvager and Key West's first millionaire.

This Key Lime Pie Will Get You a Boyfriend | Vaughn Vreeland | NYT Cooking

What is Florida's signature dessert?

Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law proclaiming strawberry shortcake the official state dessert. Shannon Baker, strawberry shortcake didn't originate in Florida. Besides, the list is already compiled and key lime pie, which was created in Florida, was chosen as Florida's dessert.

Which state is key lime pie from?

key lime pie, an American dessert that consists of a graham-cracker or pastry crust, a yellow custard (primarily egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice), and a topping of either whipped cream or meringue. The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century.

Who brought key limes to Florida?

Henry Perrine, in the early 1830s, is considered responsible for introducing the lime to the Florida Territory. After its arrival in the Keys, the lime spread to early settlers' home gardens. By the turn of the century, commercial Key lime groves were recorded.

Who made Key lime pie famous?

No single person is famous for inventing key lime pie, but legend credits "Aunt Sally," the cook for Florida's first millionaire William Curry in the late 19th century, though this lacks historical evidence, while some point to New York origins, and modern fame comes from places like Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe and Joe's Stone Crab. The pie's history involves early fishermen, solidified by the Key West Women's Club recipe in 1949, and it became a Floridian staple through tourism. 

Is Key lime pie the state pie of Florida?

15.052 Official state pie. —Key lime pie is designated as the official Florida state pie.

What is the most popular pie in Florida?

So, they used that data in their research on what kinds of pies people in each state most love. For Florida, the top pie is key lime pie. That's totally appropriate for this state since this state is famous for its delicious key lime pie.

Can you grow key limes in Florida?

Later, small commercial plantings occurred in the Florida Keys (~1913 to 1926) and Miami-Dade County (1970s to early 2000s). Today, there is little to no commercial Key lime production in Florida, although it remains a popular home landscape fruit tree.

Why can't citrus trees be shipped to Florida?

Due to the widespread occurrence of Citrus Canker and Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing), the USDA placed the entire state of Florida under quarantine. It is against the law to ship or move trees outside the state unless you receive USDA certification and comply with the USDA compliance agreement.

Did Ernest Hemingway like key lime pie?

While Hemingway wasn't specifically known for his love of Key Lime Pie, it's hard to imagine that he spent any time in Key West without enjoying the delicious dessert once or twice—he was born in 1899, after all, at the turn of the century when Key Lime Pie was first coming onto the scene!

What does key stand for in key lime pie?

TIL the "key" in key lime pies comes from the Florida Keys, referring to the small limes that grow there.

What is a fun fact about key lime pie?

Key lime pie has a long history, going back to the early 1900s. It started in the Key West, Florida area. We don't know exactly who invented it. Some say the first recipe was made by "Aunt Sally," who was the cook for William Curry.

What is Florida's official pie?

Official State Pie of Florida

Key lime pie is a dessert made from the juice of Key limes (naturalized throughout the Florida Keys), egg yolks, and canned sweetened condensed milk. The pie is usually topped with golden brown meringue or whipped cream.

Is the true history of key lime pie Florida or New York?

Many of us assume that Key Lime Pie originated in Key West, Florida, after all, it is home to the small tart key limes intrinsic to the recipe. However, facts have emerged that the Borden Milk Company, manufacturer of sweetened condensed milk, the primary element of the pie, may have been its true creator.

What is Oprah's favorite key lime cake?

We Take The Cake's Famous Key Lime Bundt Cake is a tantalizing treat that puts a unique spin on the beloved key lime pie. This gourmet cake has gained a loyal following since Oprah Winfrey selected it as one of her “Favorite Things,” thanks to its vibrant lime flavor and irresistible texture.

Is any citrus native to Florida?

Florida Citrus in the Popular Imagination

Citrus trees, however, are neither indigenous to Florida nor to North America. Citrus arrived with European explorers in the 16th century and quickly took root in Florida, but it was not until the 1830s that Florida developed a monopoly over cultivating citrus fruits.

Do the Florida Keys still exist?

A. The Florida Keys is a chain of islands with over 1,700 islands and keys, with approximately 800 being named islands, though only about 30 of them are inhabited. These islands stretch over 180 miles from the southern tip of Florida's mainland to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States.

Is key lime pie always made with condensed milk?

No, key lime pie isn't always made with condensed milk, but it's the classic, traditional base for the filling, creating a sweet, tangy custard with key lime juice and egg yolks, but many popular variations substitute or supplement it with cream cheese, heavy cream, or Greek yogurt for a different texture or less sweetness. While condensed milk is key to that iconic flavor and texture, modern recipes offer alternatives for taste or dietary preferences.
 

Is key lime pie a Florida thing?

Yes, key lime pie is famously from Florida, specifically the Florida Keys, where it originated in the 1800s using small, tart key limes and sweetened condensed milk (due to lack of refrigeration), becoming an iconic regional dessert and Florida's official state pie in 2006. While there's a debate suggesting the Borden milk company might have popularized the recipe, its deep roots and cultural ties are firmly in Key West.
 

Who made the first key lime pie?

A widely reported story claims that William Curry's cook Aunt Sally invented it in the late 19th century.

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