The mince pie is one of the least understood, most maligned, and sometimes subversive Christmas traditions we have. And yet, it’s still here. With its pastry crust and spiced — and often, boozy — fruit filling, it’s a survivor. And its story touches on hallucinogens, Prohibition, food preservation, the Puritans, and a Christmas dessert with a bad-boy reputation. A dessert that’s as American as, well...as American as mince pie. 

Thanks to Veronique Greenwood for appearing in this episode.

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Music in this episode

• Wish Background  — Kevin MacLeod via Incompetech
• Denzel Sprak — BlueDot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• Burned — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
• Twinkle in the Night — Aakash Gandhi, via YouTube Audio Library
• Stille Nacht — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist

Connect with Me

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Books

Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life.

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)