KSDK – With the holidays around the corner, we can officially say it's pie season, otherwise known as a time when our tastebuds are happy and our belts might be doing a little extra work, a time of family and giving, a time of joy and sharing.
Approximately 186 million pies are sold in grocery stores every year. That staggering number doesn't include restaurants, food service or other sources. The pie economy accounts for at least $700 million a year, according to the American Pie Council.
Pumpkin pie – a Thanksgiving staple – was first introduced to the holiday table at the pilgrims' second Thanksgiving in 1623. Pie wasn't always the almost unanimously adored treasure it is today though: in 1644, Oliver Cromwell banned pie, calling it a pagan form of pleasure. Enjoying pie soon became an underground activity, until restoration leaders lifted the ban in 1660.
Even when pie became legal, it wasn't the desert we know and love today. In the 19th century, fruit pies were a common breakfast food, typically eaten before the start of a particularly long day (even today, 35 percent of Americans admit that they've had pies for breakfast).
Regardless of when you eat it, 90 percent of Americans agree that a slice of pie represents one of the simple pleasures in life, according to the American Pie Council. And one in five Americans admit to having eaten an entire pie by themselves, at least once in their lives.
As for where they'd like that pie to come from? According to 2008's "Pie Slice of Life" survey, when it comes to TV moms, Carol Brady takes the cake (erm…I mean pie), with 40 percent of respondents saying she'd make the best pie. "The Cosby Show's" Claire Huxtable came in second with 22 percent, "Desperate Housewives' Bree Van de Camp was third with 16 percent, "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Debra Barone was fourth with 13 percent and "The Simpsons'" Marge Simpson came in fifth with 8 percent.
But everyone knows it's not about who makes the pie as much as what type of pie it is. According to a survey by Crisco and the American Pie Council:
-19 percent of Americans prefer apple pie
-13 percent prefer pumpkin
-12 percent prefer pecan
-10 percent prefer banana cream
-9 percent prefer cherry
And some say, your pie preferences don't just say something about you in a culinary sense. They're also tied to your personality.
-If you love apple pie, you're independent, realistic and compassionate
-If you love pecan pie, you're thoughtful and analytical
-If you love chocolate pie, you're loving
-If you love pumpkin pie, you're funny and independent
You can see more facts about pie below (click here if viewing on mobile).
