Life of Pie: Sweet Potato Pie for the Soul
Tracing the Roots
While doing my own personal research for the origin of the Sweet potato pie, I was initially under the impression that the sweet potato had West African origins. Much to my surprise, the roots of the sweet potatoes (pun intended) are in fact, from Peru. Spanish merchants first shipped sweet potatoes from America to West Africa and West Europe in the 16th century. Using it as a substitute for other root vegetables such yam and plantain, cooks from West Africa experimented with sweet potatoes.
Thus began the long and arduous journey of the Sweet Potato pie; a soul-soothing pie crust that is decadently filled with the nutmeg-flavoured sweet potato mixture that everyone loves! Except the people of West Africa perhaps. The West African cooks coined a derogatory label for the Sweet potato and called it “The White man’s yam”. This could have had something to do with it not gelling in well with the West African tastebuds. It could even be the fact that they never took sweet potato for a vegetable that could be used in desserts.
Western Europe embraced the Sweet Potato pie with much more admiration. Not only did it earn a reputation as an aphrodisiac, it also became a famous addition to the royal tables of England.
Deep-rooted in America’s intertwined past of slavery and colonialism, the Sweet Potato Pie stemmed into the mainstream.
King of Pop Culture: The Potato Edition
You may have had a forkful of the Sweet Potato pie or may even know it from the numerous Thanksgiving episodes that have aired on American soap operas. The famed status of the pie began with King Henry VIII’s voracious appetite for the sweet potato tart and today it finds its place on the tables of typical sitcom families; the kind that look way too happy about devouring this modest lil’ pie.
A classic Thanksgiving episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air gives credits to Sweet Potato pie for starring in the guest role. Not really but they may as well! Let me just say, the Sweet Potato pie is a sensation in every sense.
Even an eccentric pop song called “Your Love is like a Sweet Potato” makes a reference to this underrated vegetable. While I do support the sentiment, the high-pitched chipmunk-ish voice and hackneyed lyrics aren’t remotely reminiscent of the beauty of this pie!
The Sweet Potato pie has nourished much of the drama, conflict, romance and comedy that are relevant to the pop culture.
Dessert of the Masses
The Sweet Potato Pie is a dessert that could be put together by everyone’s mothers and grandmothers. It’s the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert for the South England and African Americans, one that also finds its way into many occasions and festivals.
Sweet Potato pies can be savoured by anyone, anywhere — from weird pop singers, sitcom mothers to the dining tables of several families around the world.
And if you want something instantly, you are in for a treat — not just today but through the week till 26th August! We have launched our very own Pie festival today called #LifeofPie. Featuring on today’s menu is this American sweetheart — Mississippi Mudpie, it’s happiness folded in layers of chocolate, golden syrup and walnuts. Here’s to delicious days ahead! Try it here.
