南北各有地方「派」
Pies are a huge part of American culture. In fact, there is a common phrase — “as American as apple pie”—that connects this dessert to describing things that represent America.
派是美國文化當中很重要的一環。事實上，有一個常見的說法──「如蘋果派一樣地有美國特色」──把這道甜點與代表美國的事物連結起來。
represent (v.)代表
The phrase also shows the importance of pie as “the most traditional American dessert.”
這個說法也顯示了派的重要性，是「最傳統的美式甜點」。
traditional (adj.)傳統的traditional values 傳統觀念a traditional Italian dish 傳統義大利料理traditional Chinese medicine 中藥
The history of pie began long before the United States was a country.
派的歷史可以追溯至美國尚未建國以前。
However, after being brought to America by early English settlers, pies were innovated in unique American ways.
然而，早期的英國移民把派帶到美國後，就以獨特的美式方式改良創新。
settler (n.)移民innovate (v.)改革、創新
First, different types of pies began to be developed as they were a food that could be made from a variety of ingredients and used less flour than other pastries.
首先，由於派是一種可以用各種食材製作且麵粉使用量較其他糕點來得少的食品，因此不同種類的派開始被開發出來。
be made from 由……所製成a variety of 各式各樣的
Apples, especially, were a favored filling because they were easy to dry and save for later.
蘋果是特別受歡迎的餡料，因為蘋果很容易風乾保存。
filling (n.)餡料
Additionally, with the help of Native North Americans, local berries and fruits were also made into fillings for new types of pies.
此外，在北美原住民的幫助下，當地的莓果和水果也被作成新式派的餡料。
In fact, many pie innovations were the results of available ingredients, including pumpkin pie in the northern part of America and sweet potato pie in the south.
事實上，許多派的創新都是來自於當地可得的食材，包括美國北方的南瓜派以及南方的地瓜派。
available (adj.)可得到的、可取得的
Finally, the availability of sugar, molasses and maple syrup led to more varieties of sweet pies being made, changing pies from regular meal dishes into tasty American desserts.
最後，糖、糖蜜和楓糖漿的普及使甜派的種類增加，將派從普通的菜餚，變成美味可口的美式甜點。
syrup (n.)糖漿maple syrup 楓糖漿cough syrup 止咳糖漿lead to 導致、造成variety (n.)種類
Today, many of these pie innovations are not only still enjoyed around the world, but are also important symbols of American culture.
現今，許多這些派的創新做法不僅仍然在世界各地受到喜愛，也是美國文化的重要象徵。
symbol (n.)象徵symbolize (v.)象徵