Mince Pies
Nov 21st 2016, 1:51 pm
#1
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
Mince Pies
Hello,
Silly questions, I am visiting US this week and was wondering if you are ALLOWED to take in Mince Pies.
Silly questions, I am visiting US this week and was wondering if you are ALLOWED to take in Mince Pies.
Nov 21st 2016, 1:57 pm
#2
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Re: Mince Pies
I always bring mince pies and Christmas pudding from the UK to US if they are in the stores. I declare them on the customs form and haven't had a problem. There could be a problem as they usually contain suet and beef products are banned...but I don't think it's an obvious ingredient.
Nov 21st 2016, 1:57 pm
#3
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,524
Re: Mince Pies
US Customs and Food - What You Can Bring Home
From reading that site I have now learned that there is something call "Exotic Newcastle Disease" - the imagination boggles.
Last edited by Lion in Winter; Nov 21st 2016 at 2:02 pm.
Nov 21st 2016, 1:58 pm
#4
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Mince Pies
Yes, though there is the risk that they might be confiscated if the customs officer doesn't understand what they are. I would be inclined to call them "fruit pies", rather than mince pies, as that is what they actually are.
Nov 21st 2016, 2:09 pm
#5
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Joined: Aug 2016
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Re: Mince Pies
Thank you all. In light of your replies, looks like I will be taking some (lots) of mince pies. Of course if any issues arise, I will let you know.
Thank you
Thank you
Nov 21st 2016, 2:34 pm
#6
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,386
Re: Mince Pies
Are they so very different from the mince pies made in the US? Just wondering. I don't care for them myself.
Nov 21st 2016, 4:10 pm
#7
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Re: Mince Pies
I'm rather partial to Mr Kipling's mince pies...followed by M&S mince pies. Nothing else will do for me! I found several US stores sold Walkers (UK makers delicious shortbread)...but I didn't care for them.
Nov 21st 2016, 4:29 pm
#8
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,386
Re: Mince Pies
Dad enjoyed a good mince pie at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know that you can buy them like you do entennman's baked goods but our local bakery would sell 1/2 pies during the holidays and we would get 1/2 mince pie and 1/2 pumpkin pie and then a whole apple pie.
Nov 21st 2016, 4:34 pm
#9
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Mince Pies
Me neither, but then I rarely shop for dessert pies.
I agree, Mr Kipling's pies are good, but personally I think M&S's are better, but both are very different from home-made mince pies.
... I'm rather partial to Mr Kipling's mince pies...followed by M&S mince pies. .....
Last edited by Pulaski; Nov 21st 2016 at 4:37 pm.
Nov 21st 2016, 4:51 pm
#10
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Re: Mince Pies
UK mince pies are small pies...about 2" across. They are not usually a large pie...such as apple or other fruit pies.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jun 12th 2019 at 10:56 pm.
Nov 21st 2016, 4:57 pm
#11
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Was Virginia, now Yorkshire.
Posts: 2,333
Re: Mince Pies
Shop made mince pies are way too sweet for me - I make my own mincemeat, leave it to ferment for a while and then make a batch of pies as and when they are needed. Could be time to start making pastry...
Nov 21st 2016, 5:00 pm
#12
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Mince Pies
wholefoods sell big jars of mincemeat and ready made pastry if you can't be bothered to make your own. I have to make GF pastry so it's a no brainer for me.. I buy 2 jars every year and make 50 or so. My neigbours like them and I usually host a mulled wine/mince pie evening over the holidays.
Nov 21st 2016, 5:05 pm
#13
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Was Virginia, now Yorkshire.
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Re: Mince Pies
Once I discovered how easy it is to make my own mincemeat (basically, soak fruit in alcohol, mix with some sugar, spices, grated apple and grated fat, put in jars and leave in the cupboard) I've not looked back. I think I'm still using a batch that I made in the US in 2011 that somehow ( 
) got shipped back with my belongings - just top it up every year with booze and it keeps forever!
) got shipped back with my belongings - just top it up every year with booze and it keeps forever!
Nov 21st 2016, 5:19 pm
#14
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Mince Pies
Once I discovered how easy it is to make my own mincemeat (basically, soak fruit in alcohol, mix with some sugar, spices, grated apple and grated fat, put in jars and leave in the cupboard) I've not looked back. I think I'm still using a batch that I made in the US in 2011 that somehow ( ) got shipped back with my belongings - just top it up every year with booze and it keeps forever!
) got shipped back with my belongings - just top it up every year with booze and it keeps forever!
