Moon Pie
A moon pie or MoonPie® [1] is a pastry invented around 1917. [2] A MoonPie consists of two graham crackers shaped into round cookies, with marshmallow filling in the center. The confection is then dipped in chocolate (or other flavors). In the past 10 years, a mini MoonPie has been developed, about half the size of the earlier moon pies.
History
Moon pies are seen as a unique creation of the Southeastern United States, where they have been a perennial favorite since their inception. The story behind the name "moon pie" began in 1917, though the exact details have passed on into urban legend. Supposedly, a bakery salesperson from Chattanooga, Tennessee named "Mr. Mitchell" visited a nearby coal mining town, and asked what kind of snack food the miners would like to eat. He was told that a popular confection involved graham crackers and marshmallows, and so he asked one of the local miners how big he wanted the snack to be. The miner made a circle with his hands and outlined the moon, which had risen in the sky at that time. "As big as the moon and twice as thick," he replied. Mr. Mitchell used this as the inspiration for the "moon pie."[citation needed]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2006) |
Moon pies had reached a peak of their popularity during the 1950s, when many workers bought them as an inexpensive snack to tide their hunger for a while. Around this time, the typical cost of a moon pie was about five cents, and a soda to drink was also a nickel. The popular legend of moon pies states that R.C. Cola became the drink of choice to accompany a moon pie, because a serving of R.C. Cola was typically larger than a serving of Coca-Cola or other sodas. The combination of "an R.C. Cola and a moon pie" became inseparable, and was often referred to as the "working man's lunch." (A novelty song in the early 1950s called "An RC Cola And A Moon Pie" became a popular jingle of the time. In the 1990s the band NRBQ re-recorded the song, which was so popular among their fans that they held a series of concert/gatherings called "Moon Pie Festivals"). At an average cost of ten cents, the food combination became an institution (in part, by references to it in the comedy routines of Brother Dave Gardner).[citation needed]
Nutrition facts
A MoonPie is made with marshmallow, which is a low-fat food. The nutritional content of a chocolate full-size or Mini MoonPie® (from 2004) is detailed below, showing (full-size) 226 calories, [3] saturated fat 3.5g, carbohydrate 40g, protein 4g, iron 5%, of a total weight of 57 grams (2 ounces). The nutritional data for a chocolate Mini MoonPie is about 65% the amount of full-size. [4] [5]
The ingredients are as follows: [3] Enriched wheat flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic acid), Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Shortening (Contains Partially hydrogenated Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseed Oil and/or Coconut Oil and/or Palm kernel oil and/or Palm Oil), Soy Flour, Dutched Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Cocoa, Gelatin, Baking Soda, Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavoring, Sodium sulfite.[3]
Nutrition facts for chocolate MoonPie® (full-size): [3]
- Serving size 1 (57g or 2 oz)
- Calories: 226 Calories from fat: 51
- Total fat: 5.7g (saturated fat 3.5g) Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 188mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 40g (dietary fiber 0g, sugars 12.5g)
- Protein: 4g Vitamin A: 0% Vitamin C: 0% Iron: 5%.[3]
Nutrition facts for chocolate Mini MoonPie®: [4]
- Serving size 1 (34g or 1.2 oz)
- Calories: 152 (or 130[5]) Calories from fat: 40 (or 30)
- Total fat: 4.5g (saturated fat 3g) Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 120mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 26g (dietary fiber 0g, sugars 8g)
- Protein: 2.5g.[4]
Note that the nutrition data is for a chocolate MoonPie® or Mini MoonPie®, and other flavors (such as banana, vanilla, strawberry, or orange) might have different nutritional content.
Similar products
In the northern regions of the United States, a moon pie is called a "scooter pie." In New England, a similar item is known as a "Whoopie Pie," though chocolate cookies are used instead of graham crackers and the pastry is not dipped in chocolate. "MoonPie" is a registered trademark of The Chattanooga Bakery.
In the UK, Australia and Canada there is the "Wagon Wheel." introduced under the Weston name in the 1940s but since divested to other companies in the UK and Australia. [1][2]
Compare to Mallomars.
Cultural influence
The moon pie has been a traditional throw of Carnival krewes in Mobile, Alabama, since 1956,[2] and other communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, although it is seldom seen in New Orleans or other communities further west. The westernmost outpost of the moon pie as an important Carnival throw is Slidell, Louisiana, which has a parade called "Mona Lisa Moon Pie." Also, in the town of Oneonta, Alabama, there is a moon pie eating contest started by Wal-Mart employee John Love when he accidentally ordered too many. This anecdote was featured in Sam Walton's autobiography, Made in America.
The moon pie is featured in the movie "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector" (2006). The main character, Larry, seems to have a rather close affinity with these pies, as he is frequently seen carrying a box of them. In one scene, Larry opens the glove box of his car reveal a secret moon pie stash.
Moon pies are also mentioned in the TV series "Scrubs" (2001), where the character "Janitor" nicknames the main character 'Scooter', because he says it's short for scooter pie, a food he hates.
In "The Green Mile" (1999), a troublesome prisoner spits a whole chewed moon pie on a guard's face as an annoying joke.
Moonpie is also the name of a movie (not yet released).
In the Television Series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 2, Episode 15: "Phases"), Xander comments on how the full moon influenced Mankind to create the Moonpie. Giles became quite giddy, leading to the conclusion that Moonpies are the preferred snack food of Watchers.
Notes
- ^ MoonPie® is a registered trademark of Chattanooga Bakery, Inc.
- ^ a b "Carnival/Mobile Mardi Gras Timeline" (list of events by year), Museum of Mobile, 2001, webpage: MoM-timeline: states: 1917 - The Chattanooga Bakery company introduces the popular marshmallow cookie "moon pie"; and, 1956 The first "moon pies" are thrown from a Mobile Mardi Gras float.
- ^ a b c d e "Chocolate MoonPie nutrition information" (label), DietFacts.com, 2004-09-07 (letter from bakery), webpage: DF-MoonPie (nutrition facts of full-size chocolate MoonPie).
- ^ a b c "Chocolate Mini MoonPie nutrition information" (label), DietFacts.com, 2004-09-07 (letter from bakery), webpage: DF-choc-Mini-MoonPie (nutrition facts of chocolate Mini MoonPie).
- ^ a b Labels in 2007 on a chocolate Mini MoonPie have listed 130 calories (30 from fat), with 2.5g saturated fat (Trans fat 0g), but the same weight, 34g (1.2 oz).