I’m no longer saying “As American as apple pie,” because I’ve learned that apple pie ISN’T so American! The first apple pie recipe (1381) appeared in an English cookbook, and apple tarts and pies were common late 14th century in England. English poets wrote about them. In the 1600s, those pies became popular in France, Italy, and Germany. But apple trees didn’t come to America until later, making our apples not even native to our land. Then it took extensive pollination, which was only accomplished after a length of time, when European honey bees were introduced to America. If it hadn’t been for the legend of Johnny Appleseed spreading seeds, that phrase probably would never have been coined. By the way, his mission was to grow crabapples to make into hard cider, not apples for food.
Eventually, Swedish, Dutch, and English immigrants introduced apple pies to their new home. During off-growing season, pies could be baked thanks to Pennsylvania Dutch women, who, in the 1700s, devised a way to preserve apples. At that point, Americans declared that apple pie was a unique product of American ingenuity.
Obviously, we know a good thing when we steal, er, see it.
