Pie crust, also known as pie dough, is an essential base for creating a myriad of sweet and savory pies. It is essentially a buttery and flaky pastry composed of basic ingredients such as flour, butter, salt, and water. The pie crust can greatly enhance the overall taste experience of a pie with its slightly salty and creamy flavor that balances out the sweet or savory pie filling.

A well-made pie crust is defined by its distinct flaky texture, achieved through a process called 'cutting in', where solid fat (often chilled butter or shortening) is mixed into the flour in a manner that leaves whole, tiny clumps of fat throughout the dough. When the crust is baked, these fat bits help to create steam that separates the dough into flaky layers.

Creating a pie crust is an art in itself and requires patience and precision: too much water can lead to a hard crust, while insufficient fat can lead to a crust that lacks flakiness. Experienced bakers may often add sugar, vinegar, or substitute some part of water with vodka for different crust effects.

When it's pre-baked, the crust develops a golden-brown hue, a slightly crispy texture on the edges with a tender base, and a subtle buttery aroma that sets the stage for the filling. Tips, tricks, and recipes for creating the perfect pie crust can be quite helpful particularly for beginners new to pie-baking.

Pie crust can typically be found in the baking aisle of the grocery store. It's often situated near the baking mixes and flours. Another place might be the refrigerated section where biscuits and cookie dough are found if you are looking for a ready-made pie crust. Frozen pie crusts can be found in the freezer section.