10 Things You Never Knew About Donuts

10 Things You Never Knew About Donuts

Behind that sugary glaze and doughy exterior lies a realm of surprising secrets ready to reveal themselves one tasty morsel at a time. What if I told you donuts helped popularize the term “coppers” for police, or that we have pioneers like Adolph Levitt to thank for donut hole innovation?

Get ready to dunk surprising history, military ties, and fascinating food science as we delve deep inside this round pastry’s holey origin story! Yes, the humble donut has intrigued far more than Homer Simpson over the centuries.

So join me on a fact-finding mission through tasty tales as I shine a light on donut wonders you never knew to savour—surprises as sweet and quirky as the treats themselves!

1. Donuts date back over 300 years to Dutch settlers bringing olykoeks recipes 

Photo by Kobby Mendez on Unsplash

The history of donuts traces back centuries, potentially originating from Dutch settlers who brought over recipes for “olykoeks,” meaning “oily cakes.” These early versions were fried dough treats often flavoured with ingredients like nutmeg and sometimes filled with fruits such as prunes or apples.

While the exact origins are debated, these recipes might have influenced the evolution of modern-day donuts. Over time, variations emerged, leading to the classic ring-shaped dough fried in oil and coated with sugar or glaze.

However, specific documentation linking donuts to Dutch settlers using nutmeg and prunes as key ingredients remains part of the historical narrative surrounding the development of these beloved treats.

2. The term “donut” is said to have originated from the Dutch word “oilykoeks” or “dough knots” 

The term ‘donut’ purportedly finds its origins from Dutch terms like ‘oily cakes’ or ‘dough knots,’ known as ‘oilykoeks’ or ‘dough knots.’ These Dutch settlers brought over recipes for ‘oilykoeks,’ which were fried dough treats.

The name ‘oilykoeks’ loosely translates to ‘oily cakes,’ reflecting the method of frying dough in oil. Additionally, the term might have also been associated with the knots formed by twisted or knotted dough.

Though the precise etymology remains somewhat debated, historical references suggest these Dutch terms potentially influenced the name and early evolution of what we now recognize as ‘donuts,’ the beloved ring-shaped fried pastries.

3. Donuts weren’t always sweet

Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash

Historically, donuts, initially known as ‘olykoeks’ by the Dutch, didn’t exclusively feature sweet flavours. These early renditions were essentially fried dough balls, devoid of the sugary glazes or fillings common in modern iterations.

Referred to as ‘oily cakes,’ they were often enjoyed with savoury toppings or seasonings rather than sweet accompaniments. Over time, the evolution of donuts introduced various flavour profiles and enhancements, transforming them into the sweet, indulgent treats widely savoured today.

The transition from savoury toppings to sweet confections represents the progression of donuts, showcasing their culinary evolution from simple fried dough balls to the diverse range of flavours and styles available today.

4. The holes in a doughnut were invented by a ship captain

Adewuyi Israel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The invention of the hole in a donut is often credited to a New England ship captain named Hanson Gregory in the mid-19th century. Legend has it that Gregory, desiring a more evenly cooked pastry, used a pepper shaker to punch holes through the centre of his fried dough cakes.

This innovative method allowed for better heat distribution, ensuring a more consistent cooking process. The resulting ring-shaped donut quickly gained popularity, becoming a trademark of the treat.

Gregory’s inventive solution not only improved the donut’s texture but also revolutionized its shape, leading to the iconic ring-shaped pastry known and loved today.

5. Donuts have their holiday on the first Friday of June

Donuts have a dedicated celebration known as National Donut Day, observed on the first Friday of June annually.

This holiday commemorates the historical significance of donuts and honours the charitable work of the Salvation Army volunteers during World War I, who provided donuts to soldiers on the front lines. Established in 1938, National Donut Day has evolved into a joyous occasion celebrated by donut shops, bakeries, and enthusiasts worldwide.

It serves as a delightful opportunity for people to indulge in their favourite donut varieties while recognizing the cultural impact and appreciation for these beloved fried pastries.

National Donut Day, originally started in 1938 by the Salvation Army

6. The largest box of donuts ever made contained over 4,000 donuts and weighed more than 850 pounds

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

A record-breaking feat saw the creation of the largest box of donuts, containing over 4,000 of these delectable pastries and tipping the scales at an impressive 850 pounds.

This colossal box, a testament to culinary innovation from the Oregon-based donut place, showcased an assortment of various donut flavours and styles. The monumental achievement highlighted the creativity and craftsmanship of bakers and enthusiasts, drawing attention to the beloved treat’s versatility and appeal.

This colossal donut creation not only secured a spot in the annals of record-breaking achievements but also underscored the immense popularity and love for these sweet and indulgent confections.

7. There are diverse donut shapes

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The world of donuts encompasses a variety of shapes beyond the classic ring. Alongside the iconic ring-shaped donuts, creative bakers craft diverse shapes, including twists, balls, squares, and filled varieties.

Speciality moulds and shaping techniques offer endless possibilities, resulting in heart-shaped, star-shaped, or flower-shaped donuts.

These varying shapes provide both aesthetic appeal and diverse textures, offering a range of delightful experiences for donut enthusiasts.

The diverse donut shapes not only showcase creativity within the pastry realm but also cater to different preferences, contributing to the wide array of options available in the delightful world of these beloved treats.

8. The largest donut ever made weighed over 3,739 pounds

Bakeries in Utica, New York, teamed up to create a record-breaking donut. This colossal jelly donut tipped the scales at a staggering 3,739 pounds and measured an impressive 16 feet wide.

It remains the largest donut ever made and is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The donut was the result of a collaboration between Hemstrought’s Bakeries, Donato’s Bakery, and WKLL-FM radio station. It took a team of experts to create this sugary behemoth.

The donut was made with a special recipe that included 3,000 pounds of flour, 2,000 pounds of sugar, 1,000 pounds of shortening, and 500 pounds of eggs. It was then fried in a vat of oil that was heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. The first donut machine was invented by a Russian

Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

The first donut machine invention is often attributed to a Russian named Adolph Levitt. He developed the first automated donut-making machine in the late 1920s.

Levitt, an enterprising immigrant, devised a machine capable of mechanizing and streamlining the labour-intensive process of crafting donuts by hand. This innovative equipment mechanized the shaping, frying, and flipping of donuts, significantly boosting their production speed.

Levitt’s invention revolutionized the donut industry, enabling mass production and establishing a foundation for modern-day automated donut-making technologies.

Though the exact details and pioneers in early donut machine development vary, Adolph Levitt is widely recognized for his role in advancing donut manufacturing processes.

10. Brothers Alexander and Benjamin Jönsson once sent a donut into space

In a bold and unusual move, two Swedish brothers, Alexander and Benjamin Jönsson, launched the first-ever donut into space.

They attached the donut and a camera to a weather balloon and sent it soaring nearly 20 miles above Earth. Though the journey ended with a splashdown in Lake Vättern, the soggy donut survived, marking this as a unique and memorable event, even if it didn’t reach outer space.

Who knew the hole represented such hidden depth? Behind pink boxes and morning coffee breaks lies a realm of surprises centuries in the making.

So next time you grab a quick glazed, pause to appreciate the rich history in that humble ring.

With shared stories come understanding—the common ground helping unite even cops and robbers behind the sweet taste of fried gold. Here’s to embracing what brings people together!