Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Staples & Specialities
Devon and Cornwall's specialities speak eloquently of the counties' pasts, and shape
present cultural identity. The Cornish pasty is a miner's lunch turned cultural icon, fish pies
evoke desperately hard times and cider conjures up a subsistence economy.
Cornish Pasties
In the 13th century, these crinkly-edged half-moons of carbohydrate consisted of veget-
ables wrapped in pastry - many experts say originally no meat was actually involved. This
creation delivered a portable, durable two-course lunch, and over the centuries, pasties be-
came a staple of tin-mining communities. Those working underground in grim, arsenic-
laced conditions didn't eat the crimped seam; instead it allowed them to hold their food
without contaminating it.
When waves of impoverished Cornish miners emigrated in the mid-1800s, they took
their pasty techniques with them, particularly to Australia and the US. Today, you can still
pop out for a pasty in places as far from Cornwall as Adelaide and Arizona.
Annually, pasty production employs thousands of people, and brings millions of pounds
into Cornwall's economy. In 2011 the savoury was finally awarded protected status by the
European Commission, meaning only pasties with the following characteristics can be
called 'Cornish pasties':
» Crimped on one side, never on top
» Must have at least 12.5% meat
» Must include swede, potato and onion, and a light peppery seasoning
» Has no flavourings or additives
» Must be made in Cornwall
For more, see the Cornish Pasty Association ( www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk ) .
Regional Oddities & Delicacies
Laverbread Patties of seaweed, oats and bacon, from north Devon and Exmoor.
Salcombe Smokies A south Devon speciality of richly flavoured, smoked mackerel.
Samphire Traditional regional delicacy; a coastal plant with a hint of asparagus.
Saffron Buns Yellow Cornish fruit cake; saffron is the legacy of the Phoenician tin trade.
Stargazy Pie Fish heads protrude from pastry in this communal Cornish pie.
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