Brooke NelsonUpdated: Nov. 04, 2022
And now for a lesson in the donut-ology. (If that's not a course, it should be.)
Hong-Vo/ShutterstockYay for National Donut Day! While this glorious day of celebration will forever be marked in our calendar, let’s address the elephant in the room: Donuts are among the worst foods you can eat. The fat count reaches a whopping 10 to 20 grams per donut, which can cause depression and take a serious toll on your waistline. BUT let’s be honest: Everyone deserves a treat once in awhile, and donuts are just. SO. GOOD.
As a child, you might have pressed your nose against a glass wall at Krispy Kreme, transfixed as you watched machines rotate and dip circle after circle of dough into a tub of boiling oil. But while we might be familiar with the process of making donuts, their history is far less widely known.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the first donut was invented in the mid-19th century by a New England ship captain’s mother named Elizabeth Gregory. Legend has it that Mrs. Gregory discovered her claim to fame by deep-frying dough and rolling it in nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon rind. The literal term “doughnut” came from her practice of putting hazelnuts or walnuts in the center, where the dough might not cook all the way through. Lo and behold, the “doughnut” was born.
But what’s with the ring shape—not to mention those bite-sized pieces we call “donut holes?” Interestingly, it’s Mrs. Gregory’s son, Hanson, who claims credit for that creation. But it’s still unclear as to how the donut hole came to be. While Captain Gregory recalled cutting into the donut with a round tin pepper box, some historians say the real story is far more interesting. Some claim he skewered one of his mom’s donuts on a spoke of his ship’s wheel during a storm. Others make the case that it madethe pastry easier to digest, while others speculate that the captainwas skimping on ingredients.
In any case, nowadays the process is far less interesting. Although donut holes were originally derived from their ring donut counterparts, now sellers produce and bake them separately.
Originally Published: June 01, 2017
Brooke Nelson is a tech and consumer products writer covering the latest in digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other news and features for RD.com.
I am Brooke Nelson, a seasoned tech and consumer products writer with a keen interest in diverse subjects, ranging from digital trends to culinary delights. My expertise is evident in my ability to delve into the intricacies of topics and provide comprehensive insights, making the information not only informative but engaging as well.
In the article you provided from RD.COM, I'd like to break down the concepts and provide additional information:
-
National Donut Day:
- Acknowledges the celebration of National Donut Day, an occasion dedicated to the love of donuts.
- Despite the celebration, the article introduces a paradox, highlighting that donuts are considered among the worst foods due to their high fat content.
-
Nutritional Information:
- Mentions a fat content of 10 to 20 grams per donut, emphasizing its potential impact on health, including depression and weight gain.
- Encourages moderation by acknowledging that everyone deserves a treat once in a while.
-
Donut Making Process:
- Recalls a nostalgic childhood experience of observing the donut-making process at Krispy Kreme.
- Contrasts the familiarity of making donuts with their less-known history.
-
History of Donuts:
- Attributes the invention of the first donut to Elizabeth Gregory, a New England ship captain’s mother, in the mid-19th century.
- Describes the method of deep-frying dough and rolling it in nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon rind, with hazelnuts or walnuts in the center, leading to the term "doughnut."
-
Ring Shape and Donut Holes:
- Credits Hanson Gregory, Mrs. Gregory's son, for the ring-shaped donut and bite-sized donut holes.
- Debates the origin of donut holes, with theories ranging from practical considerations during storms to digestive ease and ingredient conservation.
-
Modern Donut Production:
- Points out that contemporary donut hole production is separate from ring donuts, diverging from the historical method.
-
Author Information:
- The article is authored by Brooke Nelson, a tech and consumer products writer, showcasing her expertise in providing information on digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other relevant topics.
By dissecting the content, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the delightful yet potentially unhealthy nature of donuts, along with a glimpse into their intriguing history and the author's expertise in presenting engaging content.
