Ah, key lime pie – a true, tart, sweet treasure to the state of Florida. This delicious treat has a special place in Florida culinary history and even has its own day. That’s right, September 26th is National Key Lime Pie Day! In honor of this sweet day, join us as we dive into what makes the key lime pie so special.
History:
Although we’re not sure who the inventor of the original key lime pie was, historians have a few ideas.
One theory is that the treat originated from a sponge fisherman. Sponge fishing was a booming business in Florida and rations on the boat like sugar, eggs, canned milk, soda crackers, some nuts, and citrus fruit were cheap. Consequently, the fishermen concocted this tart, sweet treat and brought it on land.
In the 1800’s a ship salvager named William Curry, Florida’s first self-made millionaire had a cook known as Aunt Sally. Historians believe that Aunt Sally did not create the pie but instead perfected the pie created by area fishermen.
William Curry has a mansion in Key West that is still standing today.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the key lime tree is actually native to Malaysia and probably arrived in the early 1500’s from the Spanish?
Key limes are smaller than lemons with a yellow-green skin sometimes splotched with brown spots. They are hardly found in the Florida Keys for commercial use anymore because a hurricane wiped them out in 1926 (although they can still be found in backyards).
There is a common misconception that Florida key limes are from the Florida Keys, but they are actually grown in Miami.
Fun Fact:
In 1965, Florida State Representative Bernie Papy Jr. introduced legislation calling for a $100 fine for advertising key lime pie that is not made with key limes. This bill never passed.
Now recognized as an important symbol of Florida, The Florida State Legislature sees key limes as not only an important export, but important in Florida’s history.
Photo by: usmc1393 (Instagram)
The Killer Key Lime Pie
The most pivotal part of the pie is the filling. The “sweet spot” between the tart key lime, and the creamy condensed milk is crucial for the pie’s quality.
Here at Teak we understand that balancing these two ingredients is an art and take this concoction seriously. Our guests love our Killer Key Lime Pie.
Lilli G. says, “The view is fantastic no matter the seat, the food was really good – don’t miss the Key Lime Pie!”
Our homemade graham crust and filling made from fresh key limes would surely put a smile on Aunt Sally’s face!
Final Fun Fact:
The Florida State Legislature made the key lime pie the official state pie of Florida on July 1, 2006.This was after many years of debate between pecan pie and key lime pie.
FAQs
The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.
What is the story behind key lime pie? ›
History. Key lime pie is probably derived from the "Magic Lemon Cream Pie" published in a promotional brochure by Borden, a producer of condensed milk, in 1931. The recipe is attributed to Borden's fictional spokesperson, Jane Ellison, and includes condensed milk, lemon juice and rind, and egg yolks.
What is the history of key limes? ›
C. aurantiifolia is native to Southeast Asia. Its apparent path of introduction was through the Middle East to North Africa, then to Sicily and Andalucia and then, via Spanish explorers, to the West Indies, including the Florida Keys. Henry Perrine is credited with introducing the Key lime to Florida.
What is so special about key lime pie? ›
This pie is considered the official pie of the Florida Keys. The traditional key lime pie filling contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks. Almost every family in Florida has a recipe for Key lime pie and they all claim it is the only authentic version.
Why is Key Lime Pie so famous in Key West? ›
This beloved dessert, made from Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, encapsulates the essence of the Keys. The pie's origins are tied to local legend, with one story crediting its creation to Aunt Sally, a cook for William Curry, one of Florida's first millionaires.
What is the official dessert of Florida? ›
- Move over, key lime pie. Florida has another state dessert – strawberry shortcake. Gov. DeSantis recently signed SB 1006, which designated the fluffy dessert and all of its strawberry and whipped cream goodness, as the official state dessert, which went into effect on July 1, 2022.
What is the difference between a key lime pie and a Florida key lime pie? ›
The main difference is that it requires more aromatic Key lime juice to make the famous pie sing. It is worth the elbow grease to get that authentic floral Key lime flavor—unless you can't find Key limes. Then swap them out for whatever you see at the grocery store and dig in.
Where is the original Key lime pie? ›
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.
What place is famous for Key lime pie? ›
There is no better place to get Key Lime Pie then in Key West, Florida. In fact, it is a must have dessert when visiting the Florida Keys. With it's tartness and sweetness combined in a creamy pie, it is a delightful taste sensation. What makes this fruit so special?
Why is Key lime pie green? ›
Then people who came here from New York, they'd take the Key limes home with them and they'd make the pie for their guests, and they didn't want their guests to think that they were substituting lemons. That's how the green Key lime pies came about, and it was actually the preferred way to do it for a while.”
The city of Key West, nestled in the southernmost tip of Florida, holds the distinction of being famous for Key lime pie. This refreshing dessert, characterized by its tart Key lime filling, sweet condensed milk, and crumbly graham cracker crust, is a culinary emblem of the Florida Keys.
Are key lime pies from the Florida Keys? ›
The history of the Key Lime Pie goes back to the late 1800's when fresh dairy was hard to come by in South Florida. Aunt Sally in the Florida Keys had the crazy idea of combining just 3 ingredients – sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice – to make the creamy, yellow, tangy filling.
What is key lime pie supposed to taste like? ›
What does key lime pie taste like? Citrusy, sweet, and tart are the three words that come to mind when I think of key lime pie. Traditional key lime pie filling contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks giving it a sweet and slightly bitter flavor.
Who made the original key lime pie? ›
The first known recipe for a Lime Pie appeared in a 1931 cookbook by Mrs. H. Griner, a Key West resident, featuring a filling made with lime juice, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk. A popular anecdote in support of Florida's claim involves the legendary writer Ernest Hemingway.
Why is it called key lime? ›
It's generally accepted common knowledge that the Key lime pie was invented in Key West, Florida, where the key limes needed to achieve its signature tart taste grow in abundance. However, evidence has emerged to suggest that Floridians aren't actually responsible for the inception of the iconic dessert.
Why is it called Florida Keys? ›
When explorer Juan Ponce de Leon charted the islands of the Keys in 1513, he called them Los Martires (meaning “the martyrs”) because he thought they resembled men in distress. The more popular name, simply the Keys, is derived from the Spanish word Cayo (“small island”).
What does the key in key lime pie mean? ›
Florida locals argue that the dessert's name is a nod to the small, tart key limes that were abundant in the area. The most widely accepted theory attributes the creation of Key Lime Pie to the shores of Florida, specifically the Key West region.
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.
Why are some key lime pies green? ›
Sloan, author of “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook” and co-founder of the Key Lime Festival in Key West said. "People started putting green food coloring in so people knew they weren't getting screwed over and being served a lesser pie.
