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Pastry experts were keen to see how space travel affects pies.

You’ve probably never wondered what a pie that’s been in outer space might taste like, but just in case the thought did ever cross your mind, science will soon have the answer for you.

For the first time, a meat and potato pie was sent into space (where no pie has gone before) in an attempt to “change its molecular structure and make it faster to eat”. The aim of the flight was to mark the countdown to the World Pie Eating Championships 2016, which will take place on December 20.

The project was commissioned by Harry’s Bar in Wigan and the special pie created by chefs at Ultimate Purveyors. It was blasted into space by Sent Into Space with a weather balloon.

Tony Callaghan, owner of Harry’s Bar, said: “We are doing this because we are continually questing to go where mankind has never gone before – sub-16 seconds consumption of a regulation pie.

“We are aware that scientists have been experimenting with plants on the International Space Station to see if their molecular structure changes, so we are experimenting with pies to see if the structure changes with space travel and allows the pie to be eaten quicker.”



(Harry’s Bar)

Bill Kenyon, of Ultimate Purveyors, added: “Its structural integrity will be tested against the potential rigours of being served by a grumpy pie lady from Wigan; it will freeze on its ascent to around 100,000 feet; it will be cooked as it reaches massive speeds on re-entry.”

For those who are wondering, this is what the pie looked like after landing in Low Bentham, North Yorkshire (about 50 miles from where it was launched) three hours later.



(Sent into Space)

However, the pie hasn’t been taste tested yet.

Dan Blaney, of Sent into Space, said: “I would have tasted it but I’m a vegetarian.”