The history of meringue lemon pie

The lemon meringue pie, known in English as «lemon meringue pie», is a classic dessert that combines the tartness of lemon with the sweetness of meringue. This dessert has origins that intertwine with the development of various culinary techniques over the centuries, especially in European and American pastry.

The origins of lemon meringue pie date back to the 19th century, although the ingredients that compose it already had a history in European cuisine. Lemons, for instance, were introduced to Europe during the medieval period, and their acidic flavor quickly became a favorite in cooking, especially in England and France. Lemons were popular in making puddings, creams, and pies, which eventually led to the development of lemon filling for pies.

Meringue, on the other hand, is believed to have been invented in Switzerland in the 17th century by an Italian pastry chef named Gasparini, although other theories place its origin in France or Germany. In any case, meringue became a popular technique in European pastry, used to decorate and add texture to a variety of desserts. The combination of meringue with creamy or fruity fillings became popular, setting the stage for the creation of lemon meringue pie.

The pie as we know it today likely developed in the United States during the 19th century. It is believed to have evolved from the lemon pies already being made in the country, to which a layer of meringue was added to soften the tartness of the lemon and provide a light, airy texture. This combination proved to be a great success, and lemon meringue pie quickly became popular across the country.

A key figure in the history of this dessert is Elizabeth Goodfellow, a celebrated Philadelphia pastry chef in the first half of the 19th century, who ran one of the first cooking schools in the United States. Although there is no direct evidence that she invented the lemon meringue pie, Goodfellow is known to have popularized the use of meringue in cream pies, which may have influenced the creation and spread of this recipe.

Throughout the 20th century, lemon meringue pie established itself as a classic in both American and European pastry. Its popularity is due to its balance of flavors and textures, as well as its versatility, making it a perfect dessert for various occasions. Today, it remains a favorite on tables around the world, adapting to contemporary trends without losing its traditional essence.