Man eats his late mum's 21-year-old mince pies for Christmas

A man will continue a festive tradition of eating one of his mum's home-baked mince pies this Christmas more than 21 years after she died.

Richard Newson has been tucking into the pastry treats ever since he discovered 47 of them in the bottom of his mum Marlene’s freezer following her sudden passing in December 2002.

Every Christmas, he defrosts one pie and scoffs it down in memory of her. Richard said that the pastry is still delicious but admitted the mincemeat has started to spoil.

Marlene used to bake hundreds of pies and dish them out to shops, businesses and offices in Fleetwood, near Blackpool, to spread Christmas cheer.

Richard said: "She used to bake hundreds of them and had started to bake them, storing in the freezer before she died. So I decided to take them home and eat one every single year in her memory.

"This year's did taste like a 21-year-old mince pie. The pastry is still great, short and crumbly, but the mincemeat did have a funny taste this year. But it wasn't too bad!"

Richard allows the pies to defrost naturally, then warming them slightly before the main event. It has become a family tradition and heralds the start of their family Christmas.

He added: "Mum absolutely loved Christmas and we do too; she has passed on her extravagance! But I think she would be telling me off for still eating them now."

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In the early days the family joined in, but now it is only Richard who dares to eat one. There are lots left and he plans to keep up the family tradition until they are gone.

How long can you keep mince pies?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that mince pies should be stored in a cool, dry place and should not be refrigerated. They can be kept for up to two weeks at room temperature, but it is recommended to consume them within a few days of purchase for the best quality. If you want to store them for longer, it is recommended to freeze them for up to three months.

According to the FSA, frozen food can be stored indefinitely, but the quality and taste may degrade over time. They advise that for best quality, frozen raw meat and poultry should be consumed within 3-6 months, while cooked meat and poultry can be stored for up to 6 months. Fish can be stored frozen for up to 6 months, while frozen vegetables can be stored for 8-12 months.

The FSA adds that frozen fruits, pastries, and breads can be stored for up to 6 months. But it's important to note these are only guidelines, and you should always check for any signs of freezer burn or spoilage before consuming frozen food.