Home: Doughnut

The phrase 'Doughnut' is fairly self explanatory. It's a sweet made from a dough, deep fried, that can, in certain forms, resemble a brown nut. The word doughnut is sometimes shortened to 'donut' 'donuts'.

The original 'Oliebollen' doughnut (Dutch origins) does indeed look like a nut, it's of a roundish shape and is of uneven proportions.

It certainly does not resemble the modern day 'ring' doughnut, which will automatically come to mind for most present day foodies.

The origins of the doughnut is unknown and as such is disputed by various people's. The general belief is that the Dutch may have invented it.

They then brought the doughnut to the US whilst migrating, the food was then popularised and adapted. The doughnut is now generally recognised as a US recipe.

The ring doughnut was invented around 150 years ago by an American named H. Gregory. He was displeased by the irregular shape of the 'Oliebollen' doughnut and the mess and difficulty of consuming them.

The ring doughnut has become so popular it is generally recognised as the de fato shape. With doughnuts becoming classified as a 'doughnut' or a 'whole doughnut'. The standard doughnut is simple coated in sugar.

The whole doughnut has the advantage of being able to have it's centre filled with jam, jelly, custard, cream etc. The design is also easier to top with a topping of chocolate, sugar, icing, syrup, cinnamon, frosting etc.

The most voracious consumers of the doughnut are still Americans, who even have a National Doughnut Day. Most national and international doughnut retail chains have their origins in the US, such as Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts.