Sometimes tracking down the real story about a food’s history can be tricky, simply because, like all history, the information available to us is only as reliable as the folks who managed to write it down in the first place. And so it goes for Key Lime Pie, a treasure of the Florida Keys. We know for certain it originated in Key West in the 1850’s, and we know the key to the magic was (and is) canned sweetened condensed milk, which allowed cooks without easy access to refrigeration to quickly and easily make treats like ice cream or custard. Beyond that, the history gets murky, and really depends on whose story you choose to believe.

We do believe that all roads lead to the freezer case at Trader Joe’s. As tradition dictates, Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie is made with sweetened condensed milk and true Key lime juice. Unlike other lime juices, Key lime juice is pale yellow in color. Some pies bearing the Key Lime name are bright green – we can assure you that this is not a natural occurrence, but rather the result of the inclusion of artificial color. The filling of our Key Lime Pie is pale yellow, just as it should be. It’s nestled in a classic graham cracker crust and arrives in a naked state, awaiting your meringue or whipped cream topping – while there is serious debate over which of these two adhere most closely to custom, you are free to choose your favorite.