I like to throw some knowledge in for my regular readers and at the same time try to add a little history to keep in interesting.
But first I saw a report last week about a delivery van in Alaska for Krispy Kreme donuts and 2 bears got in the van and ate 25 cartons of donuts.
And I thought….hey, donut.
Who does not like a cup of coffee and a warm doughnut?
And that is the history lesson for this Sunday…..the doughnut.
Doughnuts, with their rich history dating back centuries, have undergone a remarkable evolution, becoming a cherished part of culinary traditions worldwide. From their humble beginnings to the innovative creations found in artisanal shops today, doughnuts continue to captivate taste buds and bring moments of joy to people around the globe.
Doughnuts are a popular and beloved pastry made from sweet, fried dough, often shaped as a ring or a filled ball, and adorned with various toppings, glazes, or fillings. The origins of doughnuts trace back through centuries and across cultures, from ancient Native American settlements to the Dutch immigrants in America, each contributing to the doughnut’s development. Learning about their history not only sheds light on the ancient traditions of different societies but also highlights the ingenuity and creativity involved in transforming a simple fried dough into an iconic and diverse pastry.
Fried dough has been a part of culinary traditions worldwide for centuries. Evidence of fried dough consumption can be traced back to ancient Native American settlements, while sweetened fried dough was enjoyed by the Romans and Greeks in antiquity. The doughnut’s historical origins are often attributed to Dutch immigrants who arrived in 17th- and 18th-century New York, then known as New Netherland.
These immigrants made fried dough balls known as “olie koeken” or “olykoeks,” which translates to “oil cakes.” The word “donut” is believed to have Dutch roots, coming from the word “oily cakes” or “dough knots” (oliekoeken or oliekoecken). Dutch settlers brought their tradition of frying balls of sweet dough to America in the 17th century. These early American donuts were often made with nuts or fruit inside.
These early treats closely resembled modern-day doughnuts but lacked the iconic ring shape. Instead, they were filled with fruits and nuts in the centre to ensure even cooking, addressing the issue of the dough in the centre cooking more slowly than the outer portions. Doughnuts, with their Dutch and European roots, were brought to America by early settlers.
It was in the United States that these fried dough treats truly found their identity. In the 19th century, Elizabeth Gregory, the mother of a New England ship captain, is believed to have created the iconic doughnut hole by removing the centre of the dough to ensure even cooking. The term “doughnut” gained popularity during this time as well.
Just a little something brighten your Sunday….a sweet treat and some knowledge….
Enjoy your day and as always….be well and be safe….
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
In Saner Thought 