Pi Day, also known as Pie Day, is celebrated on March 14. When did 3/14 first become known as Pie Day?
The first recognized celebration was held in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Physicist Larry Shaw had the idea to celebrate the day by marching around a circle and then eating both savoury and sweet pies. While marching around in a circle may not be everyone’s slice of pie, most can agree on how fun it is to eat one. The question is: Which pie is the most popular?
In 2012, Tenderflake ran a national survey to determine Canada’s pie preferences:
10 per cent of Canadians favour blueberry pie, but in British Columbia, 14 per cent prefer that flavour.
8 per cent of Canadians are more likely to prefer cherry pie, and provincially, cherry is the most popular flavour in Alberta.
Nationally, 25 per cent of Canadians prefer a savoury pie to a sweet one, but Alberta has the highest percentage of chicken pot pie lovers, at 38 per cent.
76 per cent of Canadians prefer sweet pies, but the highest percentage goes to Quebec, where 83 per cent preferred a sweet pie. However, when it comes to tourtière, a whopping 50 per cent of Quebecers preferred it more than the rest of the nation. (Only 22 per cent of Canadians like the savoury meat pie.)
Quebecers are also the most likely to enjoy ice cream with their sweet pie. The survey observed Quebec at 59 per cent against 51 per cent nationally)
The survey also noted that Ontarians are the most likely to add hot sauce to their savoury pie. Of course, no survey would be complete without a look into North America’s most popular savoury pie: The pizza.
In 2013 business analyst Brian Roemmele researched point-of-sale data from 604 pizza locations across the United States to determine the most popular toppings.
The most popular topping at the time was listed as pepperoni, at 36 per cent, second most popular was sausage by 14 per cent, and the third most popular topping were mushrooms at 11 per cent. It should be noted here, that the pineapple topping (AKA “Hawaiian Pizza”) was invented in Canada.
Below are some examples of Canada’s specialty pies you should try from each ofour provinces:
- Newfoundland: Seal Flipper Pie
- Prince Edward Island: Rhubarb pie
- Nova Scotia: Rappie pie
- Quebec: Tourtière
- Ontario: Butter Tarts
- Manitoba:Apple pie
- Saskatchewan: Cloudberry pie
- Alberta: Flapper pie
- British Columbia: Blueberry Pie
- Yukon: Pumpkin Pie
- Nunavut: Serviceberry pie
FAQs
Here are some of the most popular pies worldwide: Apple Pie: This classic American dessert is made with a sweet apple filling and a buttery crust. It is a popular dessert in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Which pie is the most popular? ›
Apple Pie. What it is: Somehow both quintessentially English and American, this may be the most famous pie of all.
What pie is Ontario known for? ›
Nova Scotia: Rappie pie. Quebec: Tourtière. Ontario: Butter Tarts. Manitoba: Apple pie.
What is the most popular pie in the Midwest? ›
The Midwest - Cherry Pie
Cherry pie holds a special place in the hearts of Midwesterners, who celebrate the region's abundant cherry harvest with this sweet and tart treat. Whether it's enjoyed with just the lattice crust or an added dollop of whipped cream, this pie is a Midwest favorite year-round.
Do they eat pumpkin pie in Canada? ›
Today, throughout much of Canada and the United States, it is traditional to serve pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner.
Are meat pies popular in Canada? ›
French-Canadian Meat Pie, aka “Tourtiere,” is a regional dish enjoyed throughout Canada and even in New England in the United States.
What is the most sold pie in the US? ›
The clear winner for the United States as a whole was (not surprisingly) apple pie with more than 27% of sales going to the traditional flavor.
What state eats the most pie? ›
The data was collected by evaluating which states saw more pie orders in 2018 when compared to the rest of the country.
- New Mexico: 261% more pie orders.
- Arizona: 246% more pie orders.
- Indiana: 173% more pie orders.
- Missouri: 145% more pie orders.
- West Virginia: 135% more pie orders.
- Michigan: 126% more pie orders.
One of the most popular comfort foods in the United Kingdom is called shepherd's pie, a hot and savory dish reminiscent of a casserole, consisting of minced lamb or mutton meat, potatoes, onions, carrots, Worcestershire sauce, thick gravy, and seasonings such as marjoram, parsley, and black pepper.
What pie is Minnesota known for? ›
Fruit pies taste bright and clean, sweet without being sugary, with real fruit flavor shining through. But the star may be the Minnesota Maple, featuring a gooey base of maple syrup and oatmeal, topped and baked with toasted coconut.
Besides being Canada's main economic hub, Ontario is also known for its natural diversity, including vast forests, beautiful provincial parks, four of the five Great Lakes and the world-famous Niagara falls.
What food is Ontario Canada known for? ›
Quintessential Canadian foods to try in Ontario
- Maple syrup.
- Canadian bacon.
- Perch and pickerel.
- Cheese.
- Summer sausage.
- Apples.
- Chocolate.
- Butter tarts.
The least popular types of pies were salted caramel, gooseberry, blueberry and peach, all being the most popular in only one state each.
What pie is Maine known for? ›
In 2011, the Maine State Legislature designated the whoopie pie as Maine's official state treat. This confection traditionally consists of two chocolate cake-like rounds surrounding a white cream filling. The popular treat is reported to have been baked in Maine since 1925.
What pie is popular in England? ›
Pie is a British staple and so are it's classic fillings, so it's no wonder that chicken and mushroom and steak and kidney are the most popular pie flavours across the UK!
Is pumpkin pie more popular than apple pie? ›
Thanksgiving pies are a traditional part of Americans' modern-day feast, with harvest flavors dominating the country's favorite pies. Pumpkin pie is Americans' top choice for a Thanksgiving pie — with pecan pie, apple pie, and sweet potato pie right behind it.
Where is grape pie popular? ›
Grape pie is a specialty and tradition of Naples, New York, host of the Naples Grape Festival and home to Angela Cannon-Crothers, author of Grape Pie Season. The traditional recipe, using Concord grapes, is said to taste like wine due to the inclusion of tannins.
