Harper Lile, 8th Grade, Co-Editor-In-Chief
As the fall season progresses, temperatures get cooler, leaves turn colors, and Thanksgiving comes and goes. Then there’s the great debate: what’s better – pumpkin or apple pie? They are the two most popular pies in America. These two pies are described as a symbol of America and bring people joy and excitement as we reach the holiday season.
To begin, the overall consensus is that pumpkin pie is more popular for thanksgiving but apple pie is more popular for a year-round delight.
A YouGov survey revealed that roughly 29% voted for pumpkin pie across the nation (9,900 adults were surveyed.) Pumpkin pie took first place, while apple pie received 20% of votes, coming in second place. Other pies such as pecan, chocolate, sweet potato and cherry followed.
According to Business Insider and the YouGov survey, apple pie tends to be more popular for younger audiences ranging from ages 18-29. Older audiences tend to prefer pumpkin pie – ages 45 to 64 prefer pumpkin around 30% of the time, while people 65 and older prefer pumpkin 38% of the time.
Take into consideration that this survey was taken November 20th, right around Thanksgiving time.
Pumpkin pie is overall favored around the Thanksgiving season, but numbers change year round.
Instacart’s statistics show that apple pie is more popular year round. Apple pie received 29% of the total pie purchases, while pumpkin pie received 23% of the pie purchases for a year end total.
Americans believe that apple pie is more versatile – the flavor fits any occasion from a summertime event to a fall gathering. Apples truly have that fruity flavor that tastes good in a pie anytime.
Pumpkin has that flavor that’s rich and perfect for a fall gathering, but for summer or other seasons, it doesn’t compare to apples year round flavor profile.
However, pumpkin pie’s Thanksgiving history traces back to the 1600s during the first Thanksgiving. During the First Thanksgiving the pilgrims and Native Americans didn’t eat pumpkin pie but Native Americans had been growing pumpkins for thousands of years before the colonists arrived and then taught the colonists how to grow pumpkins as well. Pumpkin carries a tradition of Thanksgiving culture and flavor.
While apple pie is very popular, Americans anticipate the pumpkin flavor primarily around Thanksgiving and it feels like a symbol of Americana and Thanksgiving itself.
A survey also showed that 57% of Americans plan to serve pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving while 43% of Americans plan to serve apple pie for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie is slightly favored for Thanksgiving but they are both incredibly popular around this time.
Overall, the debate comes to whether you’re considering the best pie around thanksgiving time, because in that case pumpkin has the win or if you’re considering the best overall American pie for any time of the year, in that case apple pie has pumpkin beat.
