The Pasty Paradox
A forensic audit of the Cornish Pasty PGI
In 2011, the Cornish Pasty received legal protection under a fixed recipe that secured a major industry. This investigation examines how that official version parts company with the archival record, the miner’s diet, and the history used to justify it.
Cornish Pasty – The Ingredient Audit
The law insists on beef, yet 1862 wage logs prove the miner could not afford it. We audit the ‘pig economy’ to reveal how the PGI protects an upmarket feast rather than the working-class reality.
The Cornish Pasty Claim About an Arsenic Handle
The legend claims the crimp was a disposable handle against arsenic. However, archival photos show miners using ‘crib bags’ instead. We test this theory against estimated daily energy needs to see if the story is history or fakelore.
The Border Wars – Did Devon Invent the Cornish Pasty?
The law says a pasty must be Cornish. A 1510 ledger from Plymouth disagrees. We audit the medieval records that challenge the £300m PGI monopoly.