Pork pie aristocratic visitors carry lumps of pie with them on horseback". The main distinctive feature of a Melton pie is that it is made with a hand-formed crust. The uncured meat of a Melton pie is grey in colour when cooked; the meat is chopped, rather than minced. As the pies are baked free-standing, the sides bow outwards, rather than being vertical as with mould-baked pies. In light of the premium price of the Melton Mowbray pie, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association applied for protection under European Protected designation of origin laws as a result of the increasing production of
Melton Mowbray zone around Melton, and using uncured pork, are allowed to carry the Melton Mowbray name on their packaging. On 6 April 1837, the 3rd Marquess of Waterford and his hunting party went on a "spree" through the streets of Melton, causing much damage. This event was recorded in the "London Examiner". Henry Alken's pictures "A Spree at Melton Mowbray" and "Larking at the Grantham Tollgate" are said to illustrate the event. The events were depicted in a play called "The Meltonians" at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1838. Melton Mowbray is home to Melton cloth (first mentioned in 1823),