What Were Mince Pies Made Of In Victorian Times?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

In the Medieval and Tudor period the meat of choice for a mince pie was lamb or veal. By the 18th century it was more likely to be tongue or even tripe, and in the 19th century it was

minced beef

.

How did mince pies change in Victorian times?

Mince pies were always a festive pie and eaten around Christmas time. … Then the recipe

began to change to something a little sweeter and reduced in size from the large oblong shape once observed to smaller round pie shape

during Victorian times and the meat was ditched.

When did they stop putting meat in mince pies?

Mince meat pie was given many names including “shred pie,” “mutton pie,” and “Christmas pye,” and was particularly loved in England. But the Puritans brought a stop to the fun – upon gaining power in

the mid-17th century

, they abolished Christmas and censured mince meat pie along with other “idolatries” of Catholicism.

What is traditional mincemeat made of?

Mincemeat is a mixture of

chopped dried fruit, distilled spirits and spices, and sometimes beef suet, beef, or venison

. Originally, mincemeat always contained meat. Many modern recipes contain beef suet, though vegetable shortening is sometimes used in its place.

Did mincemeat ever have meat?

The reason mincemeat is called meat is because that’s exactly what it used to be: most often mutton,

but also beef, rabbit, pork or game

. Mince pies were first served in the early middle ages, and the pies were quite sizeable, filled with a mixture of finely minced meat, chopped up fruit and a preserving liquid.

Which country eats the most mince pies?

In total,

the UK

will eat a staggering 781,177,935 mince pies in total this Christmas. Leeds came second in the survey, with locals set to eat 16 mince pies, followed by Birmingham and Bristol.

Why do they call it mincemeat pie?

Mince pies are called mince pies

because traditional recipes included mincemeat

. … Back in the day, mince pies were still a festive treat served around Christmas time but they were filled with mincemeat, dried fruits, and a load of spices.

Is it illegal to eat mince pies in the UK on Christmas Day?


It is illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day

. … However, mince pies themselves were never banned, although they were strongly disapproved of as a symbol of the immoral excesses of the festive season. Further legislation was proposed in 1656 to clamp down on illicit Christmas celebrations, but it was never enacted.

Did Victorians eat mince pies?

It was not

until the late Victorian period and early 20th Century that mince pies dropped the meat and had

all fruit fillings (albeit with suet). Even today there are traditions associated with mince pies.

What can I use instead of suet in mincemeat?

If you can’t find suet then we have found that

grated vegetable shortening (such as Trex, Crisco or Copha)

is a good substitute. To grate the shortening firstly freeze a stick or block of it until firm but not solid (this usually takes about 30 minutes).

What is mincemeat pie filling made of?

Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the

beef suet

, currants, rump steak, raisins, brown sugar, brandy, candied citrus peels, lemon juice and zest, nutmeg, and apples.

Where does mince come from on a cow?

Simply put, ground beef is the meat gleaned and

ground from the trimmings of other, larger cuts of beef

. Typically, it’s labeled according to the part of the cow from which it was sourced. Common cuts include chuck, sirloin, round, and brisket.

Can you eat mince pies cold?

According to etiquette coach William Hanson,

mince pies should never, ever, be served cold

. … “Ideally, mince pies for a drinks party will be served gently warmed, but if eating at home you could serve them much warmer with gently melting ice cream, rum or brandy butter,” Hanson told the Mail .

How many mince pies does the average person eat?

The results, based on the responses of 2,000 adults, says that that on average Birmingham residents will eat

16 mince pies

per person this holiday- That’s one pie more than the national average of 15 per person.

How many mince pies does the average Brit eat over Xmas?

Brits will munch through

nearly 800 million mince pies

this Christmas. One in eight people has been eating them since October — but one in four refuse to do so before today.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.