Key lime pie is a classic dessert from southern Florida, but was it really first made there? Believe it or not, this silky, airy pie has competing origin stories. But what we do know is that its main ingredient -- its key ingredient, because how could we not use that pun -- is something forever linked to the Sunshine State. If you've ever wondered what an authentic Key lime pie tastes like, you can try a piece at Billy's Stone Crab as you read about the origin of this small, fragile, green fruit that went from local treat to national sensation.
The Tangy Origins: Where Is Key Lime Pie From?
For many years, the story of Key lime pie seemed generally straightforward. Key limes were brought over to Haiti by European explorers in the 1500s and then over to the Florida Keys in the 1830s by a man named Henry Perrine. As part of a presidential order, Perrine sent samples of plants, including these limes, to people in the Keys. The trees eventually became popular garden trees on Key West.
People in Key West had to make foods that could handle the hot weather and lack of refrigeration. Condensed milk was one such food, and people started making this simple pie of sweetened condensed milk and eggs flavored with Key lime juice. It wasn't quite clear who first got the idea to use Key limes, with some claiming it was Ernest Hemingway's chef and others claiming it was a woman who worked at a mansion in the 1890s who first made it. However, it was pretty well accepted that the pie came from Key West.
Then, a cookbook author claimed that the pie was actually from New York and that no written recipe for Key lime pie existed before the mid-1930s. However, there was a pie recipe that was exactly the same except made with lemons in New York in 1931 by the Borden company, said the author.
Floridians pushed back, with one person noting that a 1931 pie contest may have provided the Borden company with a recipe for a condensed milk pie that used Key limes. Borden may have used the more easily accessible lemon instead when it released its recipe.
Further supporting the idea that Key lime pie originated in the Keys was the fact that menus and at least one cookbook from the 1920s and 1930s mentioned lime pie, which was identical to Key lime pie except for the lack of "Key" in the name. (Persian or Tahitian limes were introduced into Florida in the 1870s and 1880s, and it's not known for sure if the limes in those earlier pies were Key limes or not.)
One thing is for sure. No matter where condensed-milk pies first originated, the location that first flavored them with Key lime juice was Florida.
What Does Key Lime Pie Taste Like?
Your first taste of Key lime pie can be a surprise. Rather than the "mostly sweet but a little tart" zing of lemon pie, Key lime pie has a flavor that's more of a sweet-sour balance. Key limes are tart, and the sweetness you taste in the pie is from the condensed milk. Question any Key lime pie you get that tastes only sweet.
Key lime pie's flavor may be a bit more puckery than you'd expected, but its texture is divine. The crust, be it pie or graham cracker, provides a tender yet sturdy backdrop to the creamy, silky, light filling. The filling's texture is like custard with good structure. The whole deal is topped off with either meringue, which is traditional, or whipped cream, which is just as good.
A Florida Icon: Why It's a Favorite
Key lime pie became Florida's state pie in 2006. And it's the perfect pie for the state because the sweet-tart flavor and light texture are refreshing and cool, which is just what you need in Florida's warm climate. The Key limes are an essential part of Florida history, which makes the pie extra-special if you can get your hands on one made with locally grown Key limes. In fact, eating authentic South Florida Key lime pie made with local Key limes is a tradition for a majority of tourists to the area.
Savoring the Tradition at Billy's Stone Crab
If you're unsure where to start when you look for Key lime pie, Billy's Stone Crab is the place to go. Or rather, have the pie go to you. We now offer our frozen 9-inch Key lime pie for delivery, along with our amazing fresh seafood. Pair the pie with stone crab, scallops, shrimp, or lobster, all of which are available to order.
Visit Billy's Stone Crab to Enjoy This Iconic Dessert
If you're in South Florida and looking for lunch or dinner, stop in at Billy's Stone Crab for a marvelous meal with choices ranging from salads and tacos to prime seafood and all-you-can-eat king crab. Take a look at our menu online first and find your perfect seafood meal.
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