All-Purpose Flour (Kansas)

Commonly known as the Wheat State, Kansas is our pick for getting the flour for our theoretical pumpkin pie. Surprisingly, wheat was initially hard to grow in Kansas because of the dry, hot summers. The introduction of winter wheat by pioneers like T.C. Henry and Mennonite settlers helped turn Kansas into the major wheat producer we see today.

Eggs (Iowa)

Iowa has abundant corn and soybean crops, which means they have a lot of chicken feed on hand! That makes Iowa a top egg producer. Ohio and Indiana are close contenders, but we’re knocking on Iowa’s door for this one.

Butter (Wisconsin)

Since the state is known as America’s Dairyland, we don’t think Wisconsin would mind lending us a stick of butter for our pie. After the Civil War, Wisconsin transitioned from wheat farming to dairy farming when European immigrant farmers with dairy experience found the land suitable for dairy feed crops.

Pumpkin Puree (Illinois)

As the top pumpkin-producing state, we don’t think Illinois will miss one tiny pumpkin for our pie. In fact, about 90% of the pumpkins used for pie filling in the U.S. come from Illinois. Morton, Illinois is even known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World. And we only need just one … tiny … pumpkin …

Brown Sugar (Louisiana)

Louisiana, being a major sugarcane producer, is our pick for snagging some brown sugar. Plus they REALLY know their brown sugar and use it in various treats and dishes like pralines, pecan pie, bananas foster, and Cajun sticky chicken.

Salt (Utah)

With companies like Morton Salt having a presence in the state of Utah, it’s no surprise that the home of the Great Salt Lake has an abundance of salt. The salt harvested in Utah is also used to de-ice the state’s roadways and in industrial applications such as making glass or paper … but we’ll stick to adding it to pumpkin pie.

Cinnamon (Pennsylvania)

Did you know that cinnamon is actually from a tree? Cinnamon trees require warm, humid, and tropical climates like that of India, so they aren't native to the U.S. However, we know just which state will have plenty on hand … Pennsylvania! With their Dutch roots, they are no stranger to adding a healthy dose of this spice to their foods.

Ginger (Hawaii)

Hawaii is the only place in the U.S. where we can grab some homegrown ginger! Ornamental gingers also thrive in Hawaii, with beautiful red, pink, and white flowers. We’ll stick with the edible kind, though.

Cloves (Washington)

Another ingredient not native to the U.S. are cloves. They naturally grow on the Maluku Islands, which are known as the Spice Islands. However, since we’re staying within the U.S., we’ll have to get creative. Apple cider, steeped with yummy spices like cloves, is another fall favorite. So let's borrow some from the leading apple producer ... Washington!

Nutmeg (Connecticut)

Nutmeg also grows on the Spice Islands, but we know just where to get some of our own. It has to be the only state whose residents are known as Nutmeggers … Connecticut, the Nutmeg State! The debated backstory claims that counterfeit nutmegs made of wood were sometimes sold by shrewd peddlers to unsuspecting customers.

Heavy Cream (California)

California is actually the #1 dairy-producing state in the U.S. (don’t tell Wisconsin), so we’ll be traveling there next for our heavy cream. Nearly 1 in 5 glasses of milk in the country comes from California cows!

It’s hard to believe that all these ingredients for one pumpkin pie come from not just all around the country … but all around the world! Every slice is a mix of unique history, culture, and geography. So next time you see a pumpkin pie sitting on your local bakery’s shelf you can think of Kansas wheat fields, Illinois pumpkin patches, and Louisiana sugarcane.

More Fall Fun!

Want more fall fun? Don't miss our FREE pumpkin mini unit! Come along with Wendell as he discovers the amazing world of pumpkins ... and then help him whip up some delicious pumpkin treats!