Let’s Us Cater Your Next Intimate Food Experience. Peace, APDTA,
The Original MGT Bean Pi,
Recipe Comes To Killeen Texas. Plus: Regular/Organic Gluten Free Original Recipe. Plus: Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pineapple Cake with Shredded Coconut Topping
The origins of the Bean Pie date back to the 1930's, introduced by Elijah Muhammad as an alternative to the sweet potato pie. TURNING SAVORY INTO
SWEET
The base ingredient for Bean Pie is the navy bean, which Mr. Muhammad encouraged as a healthy substitute to many unhealthy foods that Black people had become accustomed to in their journey through slavery. The navy bean got its name for the role it played in the 19th century when it was given out as a staple food ration for sailors on their warships. The navy bean’s high nutritional value, low cost and long storage life caused many people to use them mostly in its savory form. A fascinating tradition even adopted in the early 20th century at the U.S. Senate restaurant in Washington, D.C. is the use of navy beans in their ‘Senate Bean Soup’. One bite and you will “instantly fall in love. You’ll understand why the Bean Pie is quickly becoming America’s favorite dessert snack.
— H. Hasaun Muhammad, The Brother's Soul Original Bean Pie
PIES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Over the course of the mid-century and well into the 1970’s, the Bean Pie’s popularity grew rapidly in urban communities. Commercially, the Bean Pie was initially sold in local bakeries and coffee shops all over New York City and then spread across a network of eateries and supermarkets in cities throughout
the United States. Patrons flocked to these small businesses for their weekly and often daily dose of Bean Pie. Not only was it popular amongst the community, but also many top-name celebrities and public figures consumed the Bean Pie regularly from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Before and during the height of civil rights advocacy in the United States, Elijah Muhammad's lifestyle initiatives were established as a way to combat unemployment and promote economic empowerment in underserved communities. The Bean Pie’s success, in part, enabled the establishment of small to mid-size production facilities and food transport operations; including a warehouse in Harlem, NY that stored over 150,000 lbs of navy beans and other staple foods. In New York City alone, the Bean Pie sold over 5,000 units per day. Centering business operations on these underserved areas helped to create gainful employment for many out-of-work individuals from a variety of backgrounds. This even led to a phenomenon of young men who took to street corners to sell the Bean Pie as their main source of income. These young men were known as “The Brothers”. DISAPPEARING ACT
After Elijah Muhammad's departure in 1975, the business operations were destabilized and the Bean Pie's distribution was gone as well. The recipe was passed along, but mainly kept a household delicacy. Few have tried revamping the commercial appeal of the Bean Pie, however the essence of the original recipe had been lost. It is common to find an adulterated version of the Bean Pie on the market with changes ranging from using the wrong beans to adding ingredients such as preservatives. These modifications altered the quality, fast, texture, look, and smell. RETURN OF THE ORIGINAL
Growing up eating home baked Bean Pies from his mother, H. Hasaun Muhammad (Founder, The Brother’s Soul Original Bean Pies), knew what the original taste was. After constant disappointment from eating low quality Bean Pies in different cities as far away as London, Muhammad sought to find the original recipe and bring it to the world. Transitioning from a background of business and social activism, Muhammad dedicated himself to learning the Bean Pie baking process. Many failures have occurred early in his learning process, but upon mastering the recipe he began selling it to friends and family. Word of the Original Bean Pie’s return quickly spread and he now moves product in New York, New Jersey, Boston; including making personal trips to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. twice a week to hand deliver Bean Pie. The Original MGT Bean Pi uses all halal ingredients.
