Beyond its fame in the UK, the Cornish pasty has found a dedicated following in an unexpected corner of the United States of America.

According to an article published in The New York Times this week, Cornish pasties have been enjoyed in Grass Valley, California - 60 miles northeast of Sacramento - for nearly 175 years; a tradition dating back to Cornish miners who arrived during the 1850s gold rush.

Despite the mines being closed decades ago, the Cornish tradition lives on in the city, which is said to be the home to approximately 14,000 people.

And it’s not just the Cornish pasty which is remembered and celebrated.

The New York Times article explains how Grass Valley residents also celebrate the patron saint of Cornwall, St Piran, with a festival, while songs and carols written by homesick miners are sung at Christmas. 

 The article features Marshall’s Pasties, which according to its Facebook page offers a varied selection of flavours including beef, chicken, turkey, ham and cheese and sausage.

However, it is its traditional recipe that attracts particular acclaim, including a claim from one fan on TripAdvisor that they were "the best pasties outside of the UK”.

Another commented: “Marshall's pasties are very good and very authentic. I grew up in England and my family went to Cornwall every summer for vacations.

“These are the best pasties I have eaten outside of Cornwall. Delicious!”

However, Grass Valley is not the only place to have adopted the Cornish pasty as an international delicacy.

When tin mining in Devon and Cornwall began to decline, miners took their traditions and new mining regions around the world.

As a result, pasties can be found in many countries and states such as:

Australia

California

Nevada City

Upper Peninsula Michigan

Iron Range, northern Minnesota

Mineral Point, Wisconsin including Madison and Milwaukee

Northeastern Pennsylvania including Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Hazleton.

Hidalgo and the twin silver mining cities of Pachuca and Real Del Monte (The annual International Pasty Festival is held in Real del Monte each October)

South Africa, New Zealand and Ulster

Jamaica (pasties were modified in Jamaica with different spices and fillings)

Similar dishes have been found in several other countries across the world including Salteña in Bolivia, Tourtiere (Canada), Samsa (Central Asia) and bánh patê sô/pâté chaud (Vietnam).