For Delawareans, dessert is now a matter of pride.
The General Assembly unanimously voted to name peach pie the official state dessert, citing its importance in the First State’s history and the fact that it is “delicious ... gooey ... [and] good any time of the day.”
Through the 19th-century, Delaware was the country’s leading producer of peaches, shipping six million baskets in 1875. More than two million peach trees were planted in Kent County in 1890 and the county continued to be a top peach producer through the 1950s.
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Peach Pie 5 cups fresh peaches 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees |
That prolific peach production spurred the General Assembly to name the peach blossom Delaware’s official state flower in 1895 and the state dessert continues that peachy tradition.
But an official state dessert is more than just a formality, the General Assembly stated – it could promote tourism by leading to festivals, fairs and recipe contests.
Delaware joins the ranks of 34 other states that have official state foods. Some, like Minnesota, have gone as far as to name an official state muffin (blueberry) while others, like Texas, have named official state snacks (tortilla chips and salsa).
