In 2011, Maine officially declared blueberry pie as its state pie, honoring the state’s iconic fruit, the wild blueberry. As New Englanders proudly indulge in this beloved dessert, they join a nation that holds a deep and quirky affection for pie in all its forms, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by the American Pie Council®.
A Nation Obsessed with Pie
The survey highlighted some surprising pie-eating habits across the United States:
- Pie Beyond Dessert: 35% of Americans admit to having pie for breakfast, while 66% enjoy it as lunch and 59% as a midnight snack.
- Solo Pie Feasts: One in five Americans confessed to eating an entire pie by themselves.
- Milk and Pie: A classic pairing, with 75 million Americans preferring to drink milk with their pie.
- Crust Preferences: While a flaky crust is often a hallmark of a great pie, 32% of Americans prefer no crust on top of their pie.
- Pie as Simple Joy: 90% agree that a slice of pie represents one of life’s simple pleasures.
Maine’s Blueberry Pie Legacy
Maine’s choice of blueberry pie as the official state pie is fitting, given its status as the leading producer of wild blueberries in the U.S. Known for their vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor, these berries are the heart of countless pies enjoyed across the state.
Whether enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or as a midnight treat, pie remains an enduring symbol of comfort and tradition in Maine and beyond. As the holidays approach, Mainers and pie enthusiasts nationwide are reminded of the simple joy a slice of pie can bring.