"As American as Apple Pie"; this saying means "typically American." Yet the apple pie did not originate in this country. It has shown up in one form or another since the Middle Ages.

The first resemblance of this favorite to modern pies actually goes back to the Ancient Greeks. When captured by the Romans, the Greeks carried their pie-making with them.

In the 14th century pies were very different from today’s pie. They didn’t contain sugar (sweet fruits such as figs were added) and the pastry ("coffins") was not meant to be eaten; it was used only as a container. It was also when the first apple pie recipe appeared, in a cookbook compiled in 1390.

By the 16th century sugar became more available and the pastry was meant to be eaten. Apple pie was a favorite during the reign of Elizabeth I (1533-1603). Yet during the mid-1600s Oliver Cromwell banned many pleasures and pie was among them. Fortunately, when King Charles II came to the throne, he restored previous privil...