The History of Key Lime Pie

Take A Bite Of This Famous Florida Dessert

Many people come to Florida for the famous theme parks, beaches, and beautiful weather. But what some visitors don’t know is Florida is home to a tasty treat that inspires a fair share of friendly debate.

Key lime pie is a delightful dessert that represents the tropical flavors of the Florida Keys. This distinguished dish is made with delectable filling from the juice of key limes, giving it a tangy and refreshing taste. 

While all Floridians can agree that they love Key Lime Pie, few agree on exactly how to make the official state dessert. Discussions over recipes, preparation, and origins of the dish could keep passionate chefs talking for hours.

Who Made the First Key Lime Pie? 

Key Lime Pie is a Florida staple, with restaurants throughout the state serving their own variations of the iconic dessert. The origins of Key Lime Pie are debated, as there is no written recipe of the pie until the 1930s. However, many people believe this dessert dates back as far as the 1800s, when a woman by the name of Aunt Sally was thought to have made the first Key Lime Pie. Historians disagree about whether or not Aunt Sally created the pie herself, or if she perfected a dessert that Florida fishermen had already been making. 

A second theory about Key Lime Pie is that sponge fishermen of the Florida Keys created the first pie. These fishermen spent long periods of time out at sea because sponge fishing was a prosperous new industry in South Florida. Using ingredients they had on the boat, including sugar, eggs, canned milk, soda crackers, nuts, and citrus fruit, the fishermen created an early version of Key Lime Pie. 

The first written Key Lime Pie recipes date back to the 1930s, and until then, people knew how to make the pie through word of mouth. Key limes were originally brought to Florida by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Commercial production of the fruit took place in the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County, but today little to no commercial production occurs in Florida. However, Key Lime Pie remains a symbol of Florida, and was even declared as the official state pie in 1994. 

The Key Lime Kup - Timoti’s twist on Key lime pie

What’s in a Key Lime Pie?

Not only are there debates regarding who created this recipe, but also how to prepare this recipe. Since the Key lime pie was first made, new generations have modified the recipe, increasing the debate on different crusts, toppings, and cooking methods.

There are two main components that are fought over.

Pastry Crust vs. Graham Cracker Crust

The earliest recipe called for graham cracker crust, but others since have called for pastry or crumb crust. Many conchs, what people from Key West call themselves, will claim pastry crust was the original. However, there are many stories and older recipes that suggest otherwise. There is no real anger over the “right or wrong” way to prepare the crust, simply different preferences.

Whipped Cream vs. Meringue Cream

Although these two fluffy white toppings look similar, they are quite different. Typically, whipped cream is made with heavy whipping cream whereas meringue cream is made with egg whites. They have entirely different textures; meringue cream is a thick frosting and whipped cream is light and fluffy. Similar to the crust debate, without concrete evidence, the answer comes down to whatever the baker likes best.

Craving Key Lime Pie?

All this talk of Key lime pie is sure to have you craving a taste. Swing by Timoti’s Seafood Shak to try a Key Lime Kup, our twist on the classic Key lime pie. It’s perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day or snacking on the go.