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Study Guide: The Pasty: History, Culture, and Regulation

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The Pasty: History, Culture, and Regulation Study Guide

Etymology and Historical Context

The etymological derivation of the term 'pasty' is from the English word 'pastry'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'pasty' originates from Medieval French ('paste') and Vulgar Latin ('pasta'), not directly from the English word 'pastry'.

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Historically, pasties were exclusively prepared with meat and vegetable fillings.

Answer: False

Explanation: Historically, pasties contained a variety of ingredients, including venison and salmon in earlier periods, and later variations incorporated fillings such as stilton cheese, chicken tikka, and pork with apple.

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Literary references to pasties exist from as early as the 14th century, including mentions in plays by Shakespeare.

Answer: True

Explanation: Pasties have been documented in literature since at least the 12th century, with mentions appearing in the 14th century, such as in Robin Hood tales, and notably in plays by William Shakespeare.

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Historically, pasties were occasionally encased in paper or muslin to preserve their freshness.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical accounts indicate that pasties were sometimes wrapped in paper or muslin, potentially to maintain freshness or as a method of handling.

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Samuel Pepys documented consuming pasties in his diaries.

Answer: True

Explanation: Samuel Pepys's diaries contain references to his consumption of pasties, contributing to the historical record of their popularity.

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From which language family does the word 'pasty' derive its etymological roots?

Answer: Medieval French and Vulgar Latin

Explanation: The English word 'pasty' originates from Medieval French ('paste') and Vulgar Latin ('pasta'), signifying its historical linguistic lineage.

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Which historical figure is mentioned as having received herrings baked in pasties?

Answer: King John

Explanation: King John is mentioned in historical records as having received herrings baked in pasties, indicating early royal consumption of this food item.

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Which literary work is cited as an early reference to pasties, dating back to the 12th century?

Answer: The Arthurian romance 'Erec and Enide'

Explanation: The Arthurian romance 'Erec and Enide' is cited as an early literary work containing a mention of pasties, dating back to the 12th century.

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Which of the following is not mentioned as a literary work featuring pasties?

Answer: The Odyssey

Explanation: While literary works such as Arthurian romances, Robin Hood tales, and Shakespearean plays mention pasties, 'The Odyssey' is not cited in the provided material.

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What is the historical context regarding the consumption of pasties by royalty?

Answer: A letter to Jane Seymour, wife of Henry VIII, mentions a pasty.

Explanation: Pasties were consumed by royalty, as evidenced by a letter addressed to Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII, which references a pasty, suggesting its presence in the diets of the English court.

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What role did cookery writers play in the historical development of the pasty?

Answer: They documented recipes and adapted the pasty for Victorian tastes.

Explanation: Cookery writers played a significant role by documenting pasty recipes from the 16th century onwards and later adapting the dish for Victorian preferences, often presenting it as a refined item.

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Mining Heritage and Practicality

The pasty gained popularity among the working classes primarily due to its convenience for consumption while standing.

Answer: False

Explanation: The pasty became a staple for working people, particularly miners, due to its portability and self-contained nature, making it an ideal meal for those working away from home, rather than solely its ease of consumption while standing.

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Cornish miners may have discarded the thick crust of the pasty to prevent contamination of the edible portion by arsenic present on their hands.

Answer: True

Explanation: One theory suggests that miners held the pasty by its thick, crimped edge, which was subsequently discarded to avoid ingesting arsenic from their hands, a common hazard in mining environments.

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Cornish miners occasionally left a portion of their pasty for mythical entities known as 'knockers' as a gesture of respect.

Answer: True

Explanation: Superstitions within Cornish mining culture included miners leaving a portion of their pasty for 'knockers', believed to be spirits indicating ore veins or warning of danger.

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The transformation of the pasty into a staple food for the working classes primarily took place during the 20th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The pasty transitioned to a working-class staple predominantly during the 17th and 18th centuries, rather than the 20th century.

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The association of the pasty with miners included its capacity to be reheated on a shovel over a candle.

Answer: True

Explanation: Miners utilized the pasty's ability to retain warmth and could reheat it on a shovel over a candle, demonstrating its practicality in the mining environment.

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How did the pasty become a staple food for working individuals, particularly miners?

Answer: Its portability and self-contained nature made it an ideal meal for those working away from home.

Explanation: The pasty became a staple for working people, especially miners, due to its portability and self-contained design, rendering it an ideal meal for consumption away from home.

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What practical purpose might the substantial crust of a miner's pasty have served?

Answer: It was discarded to avoid contamination from arsenic-laden hands.

Explanation: The thick crust of a miner's pasty may have served the practical purpose of being discarded, thereby preventing contamination from arsenic present on the miners' hands.

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What superstition is mentioned concerning Cornish miners and their pasties?

Answer: They sometimes left a portion for mythical 'knockers'.

Explanation: A superstition among Cornish miners involved leaving a portion of their pasty for 'knockers', mythical spirits believed to indicate ore or warn of danger.

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Cornish Pasty: PGI and Regulatory Standards

The traditional Cornish pasty was awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in the year 2000.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Cornish pasty achieved Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in Europe in 2011, not 2000.

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As stipulated by its PGI status, the traditional filling for a Cornish pasty must comprise diced or minced beef, potato, swede, and onion.

Answer: True

Explanation: The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates a filling composed of diced or minced beef, potato, swede (locally known as 'turnip'), and onion, seasoned with salt and pepper, retaining a chunky texture.

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The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates the use of barley flour to achieve a denser pastry texture.

Answer: False

Explanation: While barley flour was historically used for a denser texture, the PGI status does not mandate its use. Modern Cornish pasties predominantly use shortcrust pastry.

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The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates a round shape and crimping along the top edge.

Answer: False

Explanation: The PGI status specifies that a Cornish pasty must be D-shaped and crimped along the curved edge (side-crimped), not round with a top crimp.

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The UK Meat Pie and Sausage Roll Regulation of 1967 mandates that pasties must contain a minimum of 20% meat by weight.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Meat Pie and Sausage Roll Regulation of 1967 stipulates a minimum meat content of 12.75% by weight for pasties sold in the UK, not 20%.

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The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) was established to advocate for the use of barley flour in pasty pastry.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) was formed to campaign for and protect the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status of the Cornish pasty, not specifically to promote barley flour.

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The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates that the filling must possess a smooth, paste-like consistency.

Answer: False

Explanation: The PGI status requires the filling of a Cornish pasty to maintain a chunky texture, rather than a smooth, paste-like consistency.

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The pastry of a Cornish pasty must be golden in colour and possess sufficient robustness to avoid cracking during cooking or cooling.

Answer: True

Explanation: The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates that its pastry must be golden in colour and robust enough to remain intact without cracking during the cooking and cooling processes.

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The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) spearheaded a nine-year campaign to secure PGI status for the Cornish pasty.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) led a protracted nine-year campaign that culminated in the achievement of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Cornish pasty.

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The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates the inclusion of carrots in its filling.

Answer: False

Explanation: Carrots are not a required ingredient for a traditional Cornish pasty under its PGI status; the mandated ingredients are beef, potato, swede, and onion.

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Since what year has the traditional Cornish pasty held Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in Europe?

Answer: 2011

Explanation: The traditional Cornish pasty was awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in Europe in 2011.

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Which of the following ingredients is not required for a traditional Cornish pasty according to its PGI status?

Answer: Carrot

Explanation: Carrot is not a mandatory ingredient for a traditional Cornish pasty under its PGI status. The required ingredients are beef, potato, swede, and onion.

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What characteristic is mandated for the pastry of a Cornish pasty under its PGI status?

Answer: It must be golden in color and robust enough not to crack during cooking or cooling.

Explanation: The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates that the pastry must be golden in colour and robust enough to remain intact without cracking during the cooking and cooling processes.

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What are the mandated shape and crimping method for a Cornish pasty under its PGI status?

Answer: D-shape, crimped along the curved edge (side-crimped).

Explanation: Under PGI status, a Cornish pasty must be D-shaped and crimped along the curved edge, a method known as side-crimping.

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What is the minimum meat content required for pasties sold in the UK, as stipulated by the Meat Pie and Sausage Roll Regulation 1967?

Answer: 12.75%

Explanation: The Meat Pie and Sausage Roll Regulation 1967 requires pasties sold in the UK to contain a minimum of 12.75% meat by weight.

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What reaction did some producers located outside Cornwall have to the PGI award for the Cornish pasty?

Answer: Negative reactions, with some calling the bureaucrats 'idiots'.

Explanation: Following the PGI award for the Cornish pasty, some producers outside Cornwall expressed negative reactions, with certain individuals criticizing the regulatory bodies.

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What is the primary role of the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA)?

Answer: To campaign for PGI status and police its use.

Explanation: The primary role of the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) is to campaign for the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status of the Cornish pasty and to monitor and enforce its proper usage.

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Which of the following is a characteristic mandated for the pastry of a Cornish pasty by its PGI status?

Answer: It must not crack during cooking or cooling.

Explanation: A requirement of the PGI status for the Cornish pasty is that its pastry must not crack during the cooking or cooling process, ensuring the integrity of the filling.

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According to its PGI status, where must a Cornish pasty be prepared?

Answer: Within the county of Cornwall.

Explanation: The PGI status for the Cornish pasty mandates that it must be prepared within the geographical boundaries of the county of Cornwall.

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What distinguishes a 'Cornish pasty' from a general 'pasty'?

Answer: A 'Cornish pasty' refers to a specific variety with defined ingredients and preparation methods (PGI status), while 'pasty' is a general term.

Explanation: The distinction lies in specificity: a 'Cornish pasty' denotes a particular variety with defined ingredients and preparation methods protected by PGI status, whereas 'pasty' serves as a broader, general term.

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Global Dissemination and Regional Adaptations

The global dissemination of the Cornish pasty is predominantly linked to emigration patterns during the 20th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The worldwide spread of the Cornish pasty is primarily attributed to the migration of Cornish miners and sailors during the 19th century, rather than the 20th century.

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A Lancashire pasty is differentiated from a Cornish pasty by its inclusion of carrots in place of swede.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Lancashire pasty is a regional variation noted for its use of carrots as a substitute for swede in its filling, distinguishing it from the traditional Cornish pasty.

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A 'tiddy oggy' is a pasty variation characterized by the substitution of steak with an additional portion of swede.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'tiddy oggy' is a pasty variation where steak is replaced by extra potato, not swede. The name reflects this substitution ('tiddy' meaning potato, 'oggy' meaning pasty).

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Within Mexican cuisine, the pasty is recognized as a 'paste' and its presence is attributed to the influence of Cornish miners in Hidalgo.

Answer: True

Explanation: In Mexico, particularly in Hidalgo and its mining cities like Pachuca and Mineral del Monte, the pasty is known as a 'paste', a culinary tradition introduced by Cornish miners who settled there.

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How did the Cornish pasty primarily disseminate to other parts of the world?

Answer: Via the migration of Cornish miners and sailors during the 19th century.

Explanation: The primary mechanism for the global spread of the Cornish pasty was the migration of Cornish miners and sailors during the 19th century.

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Which regional pasty variation is recognized for incorporating carrot in place of swede?

Answer: The Lancashire pasty

Explanation: The Lancashire pasty is a regional variation distinguished by its use of carrot instead of swede in its filling.

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What does the term 'tiddy oggy' refer to?

Answer: A pasty made with extra potato instead of steak.

Explanation: The term 'tiddy oggy' denotes a pasty variation where steak is substituted with an additional portion of potato, reflecting times of scarcity.

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What is the significance of Grass Valley, California, concerning pasties?

Answer: It has a notable pasty tradition due to the influx of Cornish miners during the Gold Rush.

Explanation: Grass Valley, California, holds a notable pasty tradition stemming from the influx of Cornish miners during the Gold Rush era, who brought their culinary heritage to the region.

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How is the pasty culturally significant in Michigan's Upper Peninsula?

Answer: All of the above.

Explanation: The pasty holds cultural significance in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, being associated with Finnish immigrants who adopted it, serving as a regional symbol with popular shops, and being celebrated at an annual Pasty Festival in Calumet.

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Cultural Identity and Associated Traditions

The 'true Cornish way' of consuming a pasty purportedly involves discarding the crust after holding it by the crimped edge.

Answer: False

Explanation: While discarding the crust is a theory related to miners avoiding arsenic contamination, the 'true Cornish way' of eating a pasty, according to some older recipe books, involves eating it from end to end after it has been wrapped in paper or muslin.

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The pasty is recognized as the national dish of Scotland.

Answer: False

Explanation: The pasty is widely regarded as the national dish of Cornwall, not Scotland.

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The term 'oggy' is derived from the Cornish word 'hoggan', which signifies 'pasty'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'oggy' is believed to originate from the Cornish word 'hoggan', meaning pasty, and is famously associated with the chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi'.

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The chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi' is believed to have originated from miners shouting greetings to each other.

Answer: False

Explanation: The chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi' is thought to have originated from 'bal maidens' (women working in mines) announcing the readiness of pasties, with miners responding 'Oi Oi Oi'.

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The 'Merry Ballad of the Cornish Pasty' was composed in the 20th century to commemorate the pasty's significance during World War II.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Merry Ballad of the Cornish Pasty', attributed to Robert Morton Nance, celebrates the pasty as a symbol of Cornish identity and pride, not specifically its role in World War II, and its composition predates the 20th century for its primary recognition.

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The International Pasty Festival is celebrated annually in Cornwall, England.

Answer: False

Explanation: The International Pasty Festival is held annually in Real del Monte, Mexico, celebrating the pasty's influence from Cornish miners.

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Define a pasty and identify its primary cultural association.

Answer: A British baked turnover pastry, typically filled with meat and vegetables, strongly associated with Cornwall.

Explanation: A pasty is a British baked turnover pastry, characteristically filled with meat and vegetables, and is strongly associated with Cornwall, often considered its national dish.

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What is the cultural significance of the pasty within Cornwall?

Answer: It is considered the national dish and significantly contributes to the Cornish food economy.

Explanation: The pasty holds significant cultural importance in Cornwall, being regarded as the national dish and making a substantial contribution to the region's food economy.

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From what source is the chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi' believed to originate?

Answer: Miners responding to 'bal maidens' announcing pasty readiness.

Explanation: The chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi' is believed to have originated from 'bal maidens' (women working in mines) signalling the readiness of pasties to miners, who would respond with 'Oi Oi Oi'.

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What was the approximate contribution of the pasty industry to Cornwall's food economy in 2008?

Answer: Around 6%

Explanation: In 2008, the pasty industry contributed approximately 6% to Cornwall's food economy, with member companies of the Cornish Pasty Association generating significant sales and supporting numerous jobs.

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What is the meaning of 'oggy' within the context of the chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi'?

Answer: A Cornish word for 'pasty'.

Explanation: In the context of the chant 'Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi', 'oggy' is a Cornish term signifying 'pasty'.

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