Plan B Forum

Its home is undoubtedly Cornwall, but the world's first museum dedicated to the Cornish pasty is to open - 5,000 miles away in Mexico.




The Regulatory Council for the Cornish Heritage of Real del Monte, in Hidalgo State, Mexico, is looking to open the pasty museum next year.

The area has links to Cornwall dating back to the 1820s, when Cornish miners first settled there and helped revive the failing Mexican silver mining industry.

To keep its Cornish links alive, Real del Monte holds the world's only International Pasty Festival, which took place for the third time in October - attracting an estimated 20,000 visitors.

Chairman of the council Jaime Soto said the group recently visited Cornwall and spent time with pasty producers large and small, with the help of the Cornish Pasty Association, to learn more about the delicacy.

PASTIES: A HISTORY

First references to the Cornish pasty appear as early as the 13th century but become more established in the 16th and 17th centuries.

By the 18th century the pasty was known to be eaten by poor families who could only afford cheap ingredients like potatoes, swede and onion. Meat was added later.

Worgan's agricultural survey of Cornwall in 1808 showed that by then it was identified as typically Cornish.

It soon became a regular part of a working Cornish man's die,t enjoyed by miners and farmers who could carry them easily .

The D-shaped pastry made sure the filling didn't spill out.

By the 20th century people up and down the country were enjoying Cornish pasties

Source: Cornish Pasty Association

Mark Muncey, chairman of the association, said: 'We are very proud of the history and heritage behind the Cornish pasty, which was granted the protected food status earlier this year, and it is great to have the opportunity to share the knowledge about this iconic product with Jaime and his team.'

Mr Soto said of the visit: 'We would like to thank Cornwall for the hospitality they have offered us.

'It has been a fascinating experience to explore Cornwall and to see how pasties are produced in the home of the pasty.'

Real del Monte, twinned with Redruth, is the home of pasty production in Mexico, where the product is called the 'paste'.

There are 30 producers in the area, and a number have grown into national chains with branches across Mexico.

However the traditional Cornish meat and potato filling has altered over time.

Mexican pasties are a little larger than Cornish ones and contain a variety of fillings ranging from black bean to shredded chicken and sausage, all served with chillies.

The Mexicans also produce sweet fruit pasties containing pineapple, strawberry, and blackberry.

Mr Soto added: 'Everyone we have met has been very interested in the history of the Cornish miners in our area, and it has been a wonderful opportunity to spread the word over here about the International Pasty Festival and the pasty museum.

'We hope that we will be able to return the hospitality in Real del Monte where people will be able to sample pasties with our unique range of ingredients.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1duxxRDJe

Beer Sponge wrote:Well, I feel like a boob Guin.

Gob wrote:One day I'll be able to start a thread on pasties without the idea of tits being raised. It's my role in life to educate the colonies you know.

Gob wrote:One day I'll be able to start a thread on pasties without the idea of tits being raised. It's my role in life to educate the colonies you know.