Cornish Pasty - Historical information

A wealth of historical evidence confirms the importance of the Cornish pasty as part of the county's culinary heritage, with some of the first references appearing during the 13th Century, during the reign of Henry III. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that pasty was identified in around 1300. The pasty became commonplace in the 16th and 17th centuries and really attained its true Cornish identity during the last 200 years. By the 18th century it was firmly established as a Cornish food eaten by poorer working families who could only afford cheap ingredients such as potatoes, swede and onion. Meat was added later.

Evidence of the Cornish pasty as a traditional Cornish food is found in Worgan's agricultural survey of Cornwall of 1808. In the 1860s records show that children employed in mines also took pasties with them as part of their crib or croust (local dialect for snack or lunch).

By the end of the 18th century it was the staple diet of working men across Cornwall. Miners and farm workers took this portable and easy to eat convenience food with them to work because it was so well suited to the purpose. Its size and shape made it easy to carry, its pastry case insulated the contents and was durable enough to survive, while its wholesome ingredients provided enough sustenance to see the workers through their long and arduous working days.

By the early 20th century the Cornish Pasty was produced on a large scale throughout the county as a basic food for farm workers and miners.

Cornish pasty - Shape and recipe

There are hundreds of stories about the evolution of the pasty's shape, with the most popular being that the D-shape enabled tin miners to re-heat them underground as well as eat them safely. The crust (crimped edge) was used as a handle which was then discarded due to the high levels of arsenic in many of the tin mines.

The Cornish pasty's recipe has a 200 year continuity that is unique. Recipes were handed down from generation to generation, often by word of mouth and rarely written down because they were made almost every day. Pasties formed a key part of Cornish local life and tradition. Young girls were often made to practice crimping techniques using plasticine before being allowed to work with pastry. Even allowing for minor variations across the county from Parish to Parish, it is the concept and the cultural ideal that epitomise the importance of the Cornish pasty and its enduring links to Cornwall

What is a genuine cornish pasty?

A genuine Cornish pasty has a distinctive 'D' shape and is crimped on one side, never on top. The texture of the filling for the pasty is chunky, made up of uncooked minced or roughly cut chunks of beef (not less than 12.5%), swede, potato and onion and a light peppery seasoning.

The pastry casing is golden in colour, savoury, glazed with milk or egg and robust enough to retain its shape throughout the cooking and cooling process without splitting or cracking. The whole pasty is slow-baked to ensure that flavours from the raw ingredients are maximised. No flavourings or additives must be used. And, perhaps most importantly, it must also be made in Cornwall.

Falmouth Pasty Shop's

The pasty is a must for Falmouth people it can be anything from a quick snack in the morning to a meal in the evening. We have some fantastic pasty shop's in Falmouth. Starting with J H & Choak Pasties at Killigrew St the Extra Large pasty is a must but only if you are hungry, great tasting pasty a must if you are on holiday local's love them, but make sure you are there at midday they sell out quickly.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/j-h--m-choak--pasties--/363

The next pasty shop is Rowe's a well known Baker Countrywide they produce pasties  for supermarkets and lots more, another great pasty they have 3 shop's in the town and you can also sit down in them for a coffee, you can get a pasty with them most times of the day.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/rowes/359

Warrens sits at the end of Killigrew St and is also a well known baker they do different size of pasty and also they do everything from a large steak to cheese and marmite.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/warrens---bakers--/15620

Pasty Face is in the middle of town over looking the bay of Falmouth, they do a lovely tasting pasty but their selling point is the biggest pasty you have ever seen in your life. Family size is not the word for it you can take it away and feed a family for a week it is that big.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/pasty-face/15626

Oggy Oggy The Pasty Company has 2 shop's in town and sell some strange combination's in their pasties but they do work really well, some of the ingredients they use are Beef & Stilton, Cheese & Bacon, Spicy Chicken, Lamb & Mint, and much more as well as their normal steak pasties.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/oggy-oggy--the-pasty-company/252866

Kings Pipe Pasties can be found at the end of town and is a traditonal pasty shop with some great tasting pasties.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/kings-pipe-pasties/158278

Tickle Yer Tastebuds can be found out of town near to Falmouth Town Football Club, well worth finding some really great cornish pasties to be had. Might well be best to order them the day before to avoid disappointment.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/tickle-yer-tastebuds/622106

Presto can be found at the start of Arwenack Street you will find some interesting flavours here from normal steak pasty, to Indian chicken, apple rhubarb and custard, Thai salmon, and lots of others well worth a taste.

http://www.activfalmouth.com/business/details/presto/650382

If your looking for a pasty in Falmouth you wont be disappointed.

                                                    ENJOY