Today we’re sharing a fun idea that just might become a new Thanksgiving tradition: a pie tasting party! Maybe you’ve heard of chocolate tastings, where participants sample different chocolates and pay attention to things like flavor and texture to truly appreciate the chocolate. We’re bringing that same idea to Thanksgiving pies with a fun printable pie tasting chart.
How to Hold a Pie Tasting Party
Having a tasting party is a fun way to make enjoying Thanksgiving dessert a little more interactive. My kids LOVE tasting parties – it turns out it’s really fun to sample different items, think about what you like, and then discuss. Holding a tasting party can turn having dessert into an event!
All you need to do is print out a tasting chart for each person from the blue box above. Then cut and serve small, sample size slices of pies. Depending on how many pies you have everyone can try the same pies, or people can choose which ones they are most interested in sampling. As you taste the pies, take a minute to read the prompts on the chart, which will help you think through what you like best about the crust, the filling, and the overall pie. Jot down some notes so you can discuss afterward!
Every Pie is a Winner
If your family wants to, you can have each person choose a favorite pie and crown a “winner”. But because Thanksgiving pies are often homemade, we created this chart to help everyone explore what they love about each pie (as opposed to ranking their favorites). This can be a good opportunity to help kids learn to share their comments and opinions in a respectful way so everyone has fun.
Ideas for Discussion
As people are sampling the pies, you can ask some questions to help them really think about and appreciate what they are tasting. Here are some ideas:
- Crust: Does this pie have a traditional pastry crust, or a crust made from crushed cookies or graham crackers? If it’s a pastry crust, is it light and flakey? How’s the flavor? Do you think it was made with butter? If it’s a cookie crust, does the crust hold together or is it crumbly? Does the flavor of the crust complement the flavor of the filling or it is ovewhelmed by the filling? Is there a good crust to filling ratio?
- Filling: Is this a fruit pie, pumpkin pie, pudding pie, etc? Describe the flavor: is it bright, tart, sweet, or rich? Can you taste any specific spices? Does the flavor remind you of something you’ve eaten before? How’s the texture? Chunky and full of fruit or satiny smooth? Does it slice well and hold its shape? Does it taste great with whipped cream or ice cream?
- The Best Part: Here’s where you can jot down more general comments. What do you like best about this pie? What’s the appearance like? Would you want to eat another slice?
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