It's British Pie Week - 7 things you might not know about our favourite pastry dish

1. Until the 14th century the only meaning of pie in English was as a word for the magpie.

2. The earliest reference to pie being used in relation to food was in 1301.

3. In classical times pies contained assortments of meat and fish. Fruit pies did not appear until the late 16th century.

4. Around £1billion is spent on pies every year in Britain, of which pork pies contribute £145million.

5. According to a recent survey 75 per cent of people enjoy a pie at least once a month.

6. The pastry crust of a pie used to be known as a coffyn...

7. ...Generally this was viewed as almost inedible and given to the poor or servants while the gentry ate the meat cooked inside it.

* Are you cooking a pie this week? Why not share your pictures on our Facebook page?