The Doughnut (Donut)

Each year, Americans celebrate National Doughnut (Donut) Day on June 2. They love doughnuts (donuts) so much that in May, the treat gets an entire week. Traditionally, the doughnut (donut) was made for celebrations or events. However, Americans do not need a holiday to eat one of the most popular breakfast foods.

The history of the doughnut (donut) is controversial, especially when it comes to the creator of the doughnut (donut) hole. Of course, Americans have placed a spin on the fried treat unlike any other country. According to most historians, Americans owe their thanks to the Dutch.

Prior to coming to America, the settlers acquired a taste for olykoek, balls of sweetened dough fried in hog's fat, after a visit to Holland. The recipe came with them to the new land, where settlers found Native American Indians were preparing their own version of the treat. (Archaeologists have discovered doughnut (donut) like fossils from prehistoric Native American times.) It seems that every country that makes bread has its own way of preparing the doughnut (donut).

Jokingly associated with law enforcement, the doughnut (donut) craze has made its way across the ocean. Millions of doughnuts (donuts) are sold each day in shops around the world. From chains to mom and pop shops, the world has an abundance of choices. Redorbit.com reported that when Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. opened its first store in Japan in December 2006, over 10, 000 customers stood in line the first three days. Several months later, patrons were still waiting up to an hour to buy the American pastry.

Doughnuts (donuts) come in a variety of shapes, sizes, coatings, and fillings. Raised, cake, powdered, glazed, iced, cream filled, jelly filled, with coffee or with milk, *sigh* - the choices are overwhelming. Yet each day, doughnut (donut) makers continue on their quest to make the recipes better.

Understandably, the health craze of today is critical of the doughnut (donut). Doughnut (donut) consumers are switching to healthier choices, such as bagels. In 2005, the American Institute of Baking reported that doughnut (donut) sales fell by 4.3%. Bakers took note. Today, doughnut (donut) makers are tweaking their recipes to cut sugar and fat.

If you would like to try your hand at making this treat yourself, there are hundreds of recipes on the internet. Wayne Schmidt, an internet user, created a page with step-by-step photos. (http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/doughnuts.html) (If you have a favorite recipe site or hint(s), feel free to share them in the comment section at the bottom of the page.)

Keep in mind that many things will affect your creations. Temperature and humidity play a large role in the success of your final product, as do your choices of ingredients and frying oil. Making your own doughnuts (donuts) somehow gives you a sense that because they are homemade, it is ok to eat two!

Happy frying!

Sources:
American Institute of Baking, "Doughnut Statistics and Trends" URL: https://www.aibonline.org/resources/statistics/doughnut.html Accessed June 16. 2007

Yuri Kageyama "U.S. Junk Food Hits Japan's Sweet Spot" URL: www.rednova.com/news/health/890976/us_junk_food_hits_japans_sweet_spot/index.html Accessed June 16. 2007