Have You Ever Wondered...
- Why do donuts have holes?
- Who invented the donut hole?
- Where do donut holes come from?
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Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Cydney. Cydney Wonders, “Why do donuts have holes?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Cydney!
We were in the Wonderopolis kitchen making breakfast the other day when we overheard the toast and the cereal telling jokes:
Toast: Hey cereal! Why did the donut have to go to the dentist?
Cereal: I have no idea. Why?
Toast: Because it needed a chocolate filling!
Cereal: Ay yi yi. You must have forgotten your butter, because that was really dry!
OK…so breakfast food humor might not be all it's cracked up to be. But we bet you wouldn't mind a donut, would you, especially if it had chocolate filling?
Donuts — sometimes spelled doughnuts — are tasty treats made from fried dough. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Do you have a favorite type of donut?
Probably the most popular and familiar type of donut is the classic ring-shaped donut with a hole in the middle. Although these basic donuts can come in many different flavors with all sorts of different toppings, the most common type features a basic sugar glaze coating.
Many children are fascinated by the hole in the middle of the donut. Why is it there? What purpose does it serve?
There are a couple of common theories about the origin of the donut's hole. One of the most popular credits American seafarer Hanson Gregory with inventing the donut's hole in 1847 while aboard a lime-trading ship. He was just 16 years old at the time.
As the story goes, Gregory wasn't happy with the doughy consistency of the fried cakes served on the ship. Although the outsides and the edges were crisp, the centers of the donuts were always greasy and doughy.
Gregory suggested punching a hole in the middle of the fried cakes, so that the insides of the cakes would cook as evenly as the outsides. Experts believe that this reason makes sense, because of the way that donuts are cooked.
When dough is placed in a fryer, the outsides and edges will cook quickly, because they're exposed to the hot oil. To fully cook the insides of the dough, the dough would have to stay in the oil for a longer time, which would lead to the outsides becoming burnt.
Punching a hole in the middle of the dough, however, allows the insides and the outsides to cook evenly, creating a perfect donut. There may be another reason for the holes in donuts, though.
Donuts became popular in America around the same time bagels were becoming popular. Bakers and street vendors would often sell bagels stacked on long sticks or strung on a long rope. Some people believe that the holes in donuts allowed them to be sold in a similar way.
So what happens to all those donut holes that are cut out of the dough? Many people believe that those pieces of cut-out dough are what are used to make donut holes, which are those little round donut pieces that so many kids love to eat with milk.
In truth, though, many donuts with holes don't actually have any dough cut out of them to make their shape. Instead, special machines spray dough into a fryer in a circular pattern. The donut holes you buy at the bakery or grocery store are usually made out of dough simply cut into small squares!
Wonder What's Next?
Tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day is one you’ll really want to sink your teeth into!
Try It Out
Hungry yet? Sink your teeth into the following activities with the help of a friend or family member:
- Do you have a donut shop near where you live? Ask an adult friend or family member to drive you there for a sweet treat. If you don't have a specialized bakery nearby, you could also check out your local grocery store. How many different types of donuts are available? What type is your favorite?
- If you're feeling up for a little kitchen adventure, make your own homemade donuts in the comfort of your own kitchen. Jump online to check out How To Make Delicious Homemade Donuts for recipes and easy-to-follow directions! What kind of donuts will you choose to make?
- Now that you've read about the most popular theories about how donut holes were invented, it's time to put your imagination to work and come up with your very own theory about why donuts have holes. Be as imaginative as you want to be. Your theory can be based in fact or it can simply be a funny idea you had. Be sure to share your thoughts with a friend or family member. Why do they think donuts have holes?
Did you get it?
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Wonder Contributors
We’d like to thank:
Gabriella, Max, Jasmine, Third and Ashlyn
for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!
Keep WONDERing with us!
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Not Quite!
Greetings, enthusiasts of culinary curiosities! Delving into the whimsical world of donuts, I am here to unravel the mysteries surrounding their iconic holes. My name is ChatGPT, and my knowledge spans a diverse array of topics, including the delectable realm of food and its cultural significance. Allow me to share my insights and evidence that substantiate my expertise in this delectable domain.
Now, turning our attention to the fascinating article at hand, let's dissect the concepts and delve into the delightful universe of donuts:
1. Donuts' Origins and Varieties:
- Donuts, or doughnuts, are fried dough treats that come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors.
- Classic ring-shaped donuts, with a hole in the middle, are the most common and recognizable type.
- Donuts boast a wide range of toppings and coatings, with a basic sugar glaze being a prevalent choice.
2. The Mystery of the Donut Hole:
- The article explores the intriguing question: "Why do donuts have holes?" This question is inspired by a curious individual named Cydney.
- One popular theory attributes the invention of the donut hole to American seafarer Hanson Gregory in 1847. At just 16 years old, Gregory sought to address the doughy inconsistency of the fried cakes served on a lime-trading ship.
- Gregory's ingenious solution was to punch a hole in the middle of the fried cakes to ensure even cooking of the insides, preventing them from being greasy and doughy.
3. Cooking Process and Even Donut Cooking:
- The cooking process of donuts is explained. When dough is placed in a fryer, the outsides and edges cook quickly due to exposure to hot oil.
- Without a hole, the insides would take longer to cook, potentially resulting in burnt outsides. The hole allows for even cooking, yielding a perfect donut.
4. Alternative Theories and Historical Context:
- Another theory suggests that donuts gained popularity in America around the same time as bagels. The holes in donuts may have allowed them to be sold similarly to how bagels were stacked on sticks or ropes.
5. Donut Hole Creation:
- Contrary to common belief, not all donuts with holes have a portion cut out to create the hole. Some are made using special machines that spray dough into a fryer in a circular pattern.
- Donut holes available in bakeries or grocery stores are often made from dough simply cut into small squares.
6. Culinary Activities:
- The article encourages readers to explore their local donut shops, noting the variety of donuts available. A sweet treat expedition is proposed to satiate curiosity about the types of donuts offered.
- For those feeling adventurous, making homemade donuts is suggested, accompanied by online resources for recipes and directions.
7. Imagination and Theories:
- Readers are prompted to exercise their imagination and concoct their own theories about why donuts have holes. This creative exercise encourages personal speculation and sharing thoughts with friends or family.
In essence, the article not only addresses the historical origin of the donut hole but also invites readers to explore the diverse world of donuts, from their cooking techniques to imaginative theories about their iconic holes. So, whether you're a donut connoisseur or a curious mind, the delightful journey into the world of donuts is both savory and intellectually satisfying.
