You have not properly visited my Key West unless you have savored a wonderful slice of real Key Lime Pie.  This world-renowned pie was declared the official pie of the State of Florida by a vote of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate on July 1, 2006.  The pie’s history, however, started much earlier in time.

It has never been confirmed who actually made the first Key Lime Pie.  The most popular theory is that William Curry, a Key West ship salvager and our island’s first millionaire, was served the first Key Lime Pie. The pie was made by his cook, whom everyone called Aunt Sally.  Some believe that the local sponge fishermen created the first Key Lime Pie, and Aunt Sally merely adapted it.  Either way, this incredible dessert has been a favorite in Key West since the late 1800′s.

The most critical part of a REAL Key Lime Pie, of course, is the use of Key Limes.  Key Limes are yellow and smaller than the green Persian or Tahiti limes that you commonly see in the grocery store or market. Key limes flourished in the Florida Keys until the groves were destroyed by a hurricane in 1926.  Although Key Lime trees remain in residents’ yards or parks, no Key Limes are grown here commercially.  Today, Key Limes and juice are imported mainly from Mexico.

A real Key Lime Pie is yellow, not green.  We locals would never put green food coloring in a Key Lime Pie. Oh, the horror of such a thought!  Sweetened condensed milk is part of the original recipe because fresh milk was not available in the Keys in the late 1800′s. The original Key Lime Pie was not baked because acidic lime juice produces a chemical reaction with condensed milk that “cooks” and thickens the filling.  However, because the filling contains egg yolks, today the pie is cooked briefly for safety.

Craig Claiborne, the late great food critic, stated, “If I were to name the greatest of all regional American Desserts, my answer might very well be Key Lime Pie.”  The fun begins when we try to determine who makes the best Key Lime Pie in Key West.  A New York Times article, “Searching Margaritaville for the Perfect Key Lime Pie,“ states the truth when it concludes, “It can be found in establishments, both high-end and low-end . . . And it seems no two pies are alike.”

Pastry chefs and local Key West cooks have made every attempt to improve on the traditional Key Lime Pie.  I have nothing against creativity and invention.  However, as a true Key Lime Pie aficionado, I must cast my vote for the traditional REAL Key Lime Pie handed down from Aunt Sally.  If you are truly curious to see my recipe, check it out at Island Living Key West.

There are many reasons to consider making Key West your home and the selection of Key Lime Pies is one of them!  Give me a call and I’ll not only share my favorite Key Lime Pie establishments, but I’ll assist you with great real estate options.  Margarita Villoch 305-304-8505 or online at www.isellkw.com

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