Taste of America: store-bought apple pie
November 11, 2015 12:51 AM
I am traveling to Taiwan and my hosts requested a store-bought apple pie.
(I know, I know. I have always baked my own apple pies as a point of pride. But how can I refuse? We rise to the challenge.)
Never having tasted, I originally was going to pick up a Nation's apple pie but it seems their apple pie is lackluster according to reviews. I have access to a Safeway, Whole Foods, and Nations. (I also have access to a Trader Joe's but was not impressed with their pie in the slightest.) I have 24 hours. Which store-bought apple pie do you recommend?
Bonus: If you have tips for transporting a pie as a carry-on, please share!
I shall report back from Taiwan! Thank you for your help!
(I know, I know. I have always baked my own apple pies as a point of pride. But how can I refuse? We rise to the challenge.)
Never having tasted, I originally was going to pick up a Nation's apple pie but it seems their apple pie is lackluster according to reviews. I have access to a Safeway, Whole Foods, and Nations. (I also have access to a Trader Joe's but was not impressed with their pie in the slightest.) I have 24 hours. Which store-bought apple pie do you recommend?
Bonus: If you have tips for transporting a pie as a carry-on, please share!
I shall report back from Taiwan! Thank you for your help!
Have they visited the US? I'm wondering if they've tasted a US store-bought pie in the past and want to experience it again and if so, consider that it could have been bought in a convenience store, ie Table Talk pie or similar which is not pastry art but maybe they liked the gluey sweetness. I mean, why wouldn't they jump at the chance of a home-baked pie?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:59 AM on November 11, 2015
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:59 AM on November 11, 2015
My vote would go to Whole Foods. Also, you might want to double check the Taiwanese customs restrictions on food items before you get too deep into this project.
posted by fairmettle at 3:07 AM on November 11, 2015
posted by fairmettle at 3:07 AM on November 11, 2015
You are unlikely to be able to take the pie as carry-on baggage: TSA will treat it as >3 ounces of "liquid," just like they do peanut butter. So I would freeze the pie and then wrap it in bubble wrap to protect the crust and then box the result.
posted by carmicha at 5:10 AM on November 11, 2015
posted by carmicha at 5:10 AM on November 11, 2015
TSA will let you carry on a pie.
posted by phunniemee at 5:15 AM on November 11, 2015
posted by phunniemee at 5:15 AM on November 11, 2015
+1 on the Whole Foods pies. They also make small size ones, and several of those might be easier to transport over a regular size one.
If you do freeze the pie, note that my mother in law froze pies all the time. She usually reheated them in the oven for a bit after thawing right before serving them to compensate for the sogginess freezing can cause in the crust.
posted by gudrun at 5:18 AM on November 11, 2015
If you do freeze the pie, note that my mother in law froze pies all the time. She usually reheated them in the oven for a bit after thawing right before serving them to compensate for the sogginess freezing can cause in the crust.
posted by gudrun at 5:18 AM on November 11, 2015
This is a very sweet and funny idea, but there is some possibility it will be taken by customs as it is fruit. It might be one of those items that is taken or allowed through on the whim of the customs officer, or it might get hit by the customs dog.
Agricultural items (like apples) aren't allowed into foreign countries so diseases don't spread. I don't know how your customs officer will deal with baked apples but you are at that person's mercy.
Check out the prohibited items here:
Taiwan Embassy Customs
posted by littlewater at 5:23 AM on November 11, 2015
Agricultural items (like apples) aren't allowed into foreign countries so diseases don't spread. I don't know how your customs officer will deal with baked apples but you are at that person's mercy.
Check out the prohibited items here:
Taiwan Embassy Customs
posted by littlewater at 5:23 AM on November 11, 2015
I have actually had good apple pie from Whole Foods. It was not as rustic and robust as a home-made pie, and somewhat sweeter, but I felt that it was perfectly decent as a pie.
I hope you don't lose out at customs. A couple of years ago I bought a jar of locally made pineapple jam in Charlotte and had to leave it at the hotel because I didn't even think, until the night before, that jam would count as a liquid. Admittedly, it was a nice addition to the tip for housekeeping and I imagine that someone somewhere enjoyed it. But still.
posted by Frowner at 6:18 AM on November 11, 2015
I hope you don't lose out at customs. A couple of years ago I bought a jar of locally made pineapple jam in Charlotte and had to leave it at the hotel because I didn't even think, until the night before, that jam would count as a liquid. Admittedly, it was a nice addition to the tip for housekeeping and I imagine that someone somewhere enjoyed it. But still.
posted by Frowner at 6:18 AM on November 11, 2015
+1 for Costco pie. That's a pretty tasty pie, for store bought.
posted by bluloo at 6:40 PM on November 11, 2015
posted by bluloo at 6:40 PM on November 11, 2015
A pie would not normally be considered either a liquid or a fruit. It's a baked good, which is not on this list. That doesn't mean that Customs won't have a snit fit and confiscate it, but even here in the US you could bring it as long as it doesnt have raw eggs in it.
Based on this list, you can take it through TSA.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:24 PM on November 11, 2015
Based on this list, you can take it through TSA.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:24 PM on November 11, 2015
I've had and liked Whole Foods pies before, but I recently bought an apple pie from them that had ginger in it (unbeknownst to me until after I tasted it). I was so traumatized that I learned how to make my own apple pie just the way I like it. Maybe people like ginger in their apple pies, but it feels wrong to me. Anyway, I am pretty sure I have gotten apple pie without ginger there. Whole Foods bakery is fine in general.
posted by aloysius on the mixing boards at 8:01 PM on November 11, 2015
posted by aloysius on the mixing boards at 8:01 PM on November 11, 2015
Thanks for all the responses! (I unfortunately don't have access to a Costco at the moment.) I went to Whole Foods tonight and bought a beautiful apple pie. I wrapped it in aluminum foil, put it back in the box and will be carrying it in a separate baggu bag tomorrow as a carry-on. I'll take my chances with TSA and customs!
Thanks again for all of your help -- I'll let y'all know what happens when I reach Taiwan, both at customs and with my hosts. My friends and coworkers are very interested in how it turns out :)
posted by sums at 10:50 PM on November 11, 2015
Thanks again for all of your help -- I'll let y'all know what happens when I reach Taiwan, both at customs and with my hosts. My friends and coworkers are very interested in how it turns out :)
posted by sums at 10:50 PM on November 11, 2015
Quick update: apple pie delivered and enjoyed! It was a complete and pleasant surprise for the dad :) Whole Foods makes a hefty, heavy pie.
The most annoying thing was that it was hard to store during the flight since I had a big canvas tote bag to stow as well, so I ended up having the pie underfoot for most of the time. TSA security and Taiwanese customs were a breeze; no one gave me a second glance.
Thank you so much for your help! International pie!
posted by sums at 6:16 PM on November 13, 2015
The most annoying thing was that it was hard to store during the flight since I had a big canvas tote bag to stow as well, so I ended up having the pie underfoot for most of the time. TSA security and Taiwanese customs were a breeze; no one gave me a second glance.
Thank you so much for your help! International pie!
posted by sums at 6:16 PM on November 13, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by vignettist at 1:01 AM on November 11, 2015