History of The Cornish Pasty  

Hey there, pasty lovers! Ready to dig into the delicious history of the Cornish pasty?  

From royal feasts to miners’ lunches, this tasty treat has quite the story. Dive in to discover this tasty treat became a true Cornish icon.

A Royal Delicacy 

Way back in the 13th century, pasties were fit for a king (literally!). The rich and royal dined on pasties filled with venison, beef, lamb, and seafood. Not quite like the traditional pasty we know today, but just as good… 

Rise in Popularity 

Fast forward to the 17th century, and the pasty had become a staple for working-class families.  

Their version was made with shortcrust pastry, potatoes, swede, onion, and sometimes a bit of meat. And just like that, the traditional Cornish pasty was born!

Mining Influence 

The pasty really hit its stride thanks to Cornwall’s booming mining industry. Miners and farm workers needed a hearty, tasty meal while they worked, and the pasty was perfect. Cornish miners made it their own, and even had ovens in some mines to keep their pasties hot.

It’s said that Miners’ wives would mark their pasties with initials to make sure everyone got their own. And the crust? It was a built-in handle! Miners used to toss it away after eating the filling to avoid dirt, but nowadays, we eat every last crumb! 

The Pasty Capital 

Did you know that Redruth, our hometown, was once one of the wealthiest places in the world thanks to the booming mining industry? That’s right! This famous Cornish town is also home to The Cornish Hamper Store HQ. 

Centuries later, here we are, proudly selling genuine Cornish pasties and spreading our Cornish heritage across the UK. 

Grab a slice of history today, check out our full Pasties by Post range here.  

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