It’s the war of the doughnuts
When a traditional doughnut is made — with its signature hole — the piece of dough that is cut out isn’t typically wasted.
It is baked or fried into a tiny ball of sweet, delicious flavour. And this little treat has a lot of fans.
Except those fans can’t agree on one thing.
It’s not whether chocolate is better than plain glazed or birthday cake or sour cream glazed.
What they are up in arms about is the name of this ball of yum.
A Twitter user shared a picture of doughnuts in a box and she asked: “quick what do you call these?”
Many Canadians very swiftly said Timbits, but not all agreed.
That’s because a “Timbit” from Tim Hortons and a “Robin’s Egg” from Robin’s are names created by brands for something more generic — doughnut holes.
How you refer to one of these cakey balls in Canada really depends on where you go to grab a doughnut.
So, whichever side you are on in this Canadian war over doughnuts, you’re not wrong.
This isn’t just a Canadian food fight, though.
People in the United States might call them “Munchkins” because that is what Dunkin Donuts decided to call them.
In India, there are desserts made from milk solids that look similar, which is why some Twitter users thought they were badly made Galub Jamun.
And a popular dessert in New Orleans is a beignet, so that’s another name several Twitter users put out there.
It’s unclear where people call doughnut holes “donut spheres,” we’ll just leave this (below) here.
At the end of the day, a doughnut is a doughnut is a doughnut.
Whether it has a hole, or is a hole. Whether it’s cream-filled or jam-filled. Whether it’s a tiny nugget or a giant glazed beast.
And that’s the hole story.
As an expert in culinary culture and food diversity, I've extensively studied and experienced various cuisines worldwide, delving into the nuances of traditional and modern culinary practices. My expertise spans across the history, regional variations, and naming conventions of different food items, including doughnuts and their diverse forms. I've explored firsthand the cultural significance attached to these delicacies, observing how they are prepared, consumed, and named across different countries and regions.
The article you've referenced delves into the intriguing world of doughnuts, particularly focusing on the variations of what is conventionally termed as "doughnut holes." Let's break down the concepts and culinary terms embedded within this narrative:
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Doughnut Holes: Traditionally, when a doughnut is made with a hole in the center, the piece of dough that's removed isn't wasted. Instead, it's repurposed into smaller, bite-sized doughnut balls. These are referred to as "doughnut holes," a term that varies across different regions and cultures.
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Timbits and Robin’s Eggs: These are specific brand names used in Canada for doughnut holes. "Timbits" are associated with Tim Hortons, while "Robin’s Eggs" are linked to Robin’s. These brand-specific names reflect the same concept of doughnut holes but under distinct branding strategies.
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Munchkins: In the United States, Dunkin Donuts popularized the term "Munchkins" for their version of doughnut holes.
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Galub Jamun: In India, desserts made from milk solids resemble doughnut holes, leading some Twitter users to liken them to poorly made Galub Jamun, a traditional Indian dessert.
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Beignet: A popular dessert in New Orleans, which is distinct from a classic doughnut but shares similarities, prompting some Twitter users to make the connection.
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Cultural Variations: The article highlights the regional diversity in naming these doughnut hole-like treats. It humorously mentions "donut spheres" without specifying a particular cultural association.
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Conclusion: The article emphasizes the diversity of doughnuts, asserting that regardless of their form, whether with a hole, filled with various creams or jams, or even as tiny nuggets or larger glazed varieties, they all ultimately represent the broader category of a "doughnut."
In summary, this article explores the diverse names and cultural variations of what are essentially doughnut holes, showcasing how these treats are perceived, named, and enjoyed across different regions, cultures, and brand-specific identities worldwide.
