The Doughnut
There are few food items more popular than the doughnut. From humble origins, this is a delicacy adored the world over, and sometimes, the joy of a warm doughnut is one of greatest moments a person experiences in a day or week.
However, like all aspects of the world, doughnuts are evolving, and modern-day doughnuts (also spelt Donut) are often epic. Join us as we look back at the doughnut timeline while offering suggestions on what comes next for the sweetest of all snacks.
A quick timeline of the doughnut / (Donut American term) and how it made its way to the UK
You don’t need to know the history of doughnuts to enjoy them, but you might be surprised at how they’ve developed to the global phenomenon they are today.
· The 1800s: Doughnuts were introduced in the United States by Dutch settlers who called them "oliebollen", which translates to "oil spheres."
· The late 1800s: The ring-shaped doughnut became popular, and the first doughnut machines were invented.
· In the early 1900s, doughnut shops began to pop up across the United States, and doughnuts or Donut became a popular breakfast food.
· 1930s-1940s: During World War II, doughnuts were a staple for soldiers as they were inexpensive and easy to make.
Doughnuts became popular in the United Kingdom in the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II. American soldiers stationed in the UK during the war introduced the British to doughnuts, and they quickly became a popular treat. In the 1950s and 1960s, doughnut chains like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme began to expand internationally, including into the UK, further popularising doughnuts.
Another boost to the sector came with The Simpsons, with lovable dad Homer expressing his fondness for the treat. Today, doughnuts are widely available in the UK, with numerous local bakeries and national chains selling a variety of flavours and styles. The emergence of social media has played a role in strengthening the demand for doughnuts, with timelines sprinkled with stunning designs and taste sensations.
The sky is virtually the limit regarding how doughnuts look and feel, but the taste is always the most important thing.
Doughnuts have evolved considerably from the sugar-coated sweet snack many associate with the seaside, funfairs and carnivals. The opportunities for this dessert are no know bounds as we move forward.
Making the most of new doughnuts
Whether you are keen to create new doughnuts that capture the imagination and fly off the shelves like…hot cakes… or want a delicious and moreish morsel, it’s a good idea to think about how tastebuds work.
You’ve probably got a good handle on the visual importance of doughnuts and how you want to present the dish to the world, but do you know what gets people’s tastebuds tingling with delight?
Our ability to perceive taste is primarily thanks to our tongues, which contain tiny bumps called papillae that house tastebuds and glands that produce saliva. An important thing to remember is the number of tastebuds a person has varies greatly. It is common for the average adult to have anywhere between 2,000 and 8,000 tastebuds. This means some people are far more receptive to flavours than others.
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There are four types of papillae, but all contain taste receptors, a combination of cells that detect chemicals from our food. These receptors send signals to the brain through neural pathways, and different types of taste receptors are responsible for sweet, bitter, sour, umami, and salty tastes. However, taste receptors are not limited to the tongue; there are also receptors in the throat and gut that play a role in taste perception. Additionally, how food smells and feels in our mouth also affects how we perceive its taste.
Overall, taste perception is influenced by various factors, including genetics and personal preference.
While doughnuts are traditionally sweet, you may want a more savoury, or at least mixed, creation. You’ve probably seen bacon or melted cheese on various doughnuts, and in fast food circles, some firms offer doughnuts in place of the bun, creating a new taste sensation for diners.
The doughnut burger is sometimes referred to as the Luther burger, with some sources saying its name comes from singer Luther Vandross. Regardless of the origin of this serving, it is a brilliant way to enjoy your main meal and dessert simultaneously!
Making a doughnut that stands out
The traditional doughnut is a design classic, but today, there is great freedom and flexibility in creating a memorable end to a meal or a delightful dish.
It might be the presentation of your doughnuts that captures attention. Stacking doughnuts together in a pyramid shape or around a central pole is a smart way to differentiate your product. Mini doughnuts have long been a staple product, but you can go the other way, making a massive doughnut ideal for parties or gatherings.
There is also the freedom to change the conception of doughnuts. The Cronut had a significant following for a short period, combining the flaky goodness of a croissant with the sweetness of a doughnut. There is no reason why you couldn’t master a new mashup, perhaps treating the doughnut like a bagel and adding fillings to the middle.
You can also let your imagination run wild with toppings and fillings, offering a taste sensation that people have never experienced.
If you are looking for inspiration, why not try these creative doughnut toppings or fillings:
· Matcha glaze with black sesame seeds
· Lemon cream filling with blueberry glaze
· Earl grey tea glaze with honeycomb candy topping
· Maple glaze with crispy bacon bits
· Pistachio glaze with chopped rose petals
· Coconut cream filling with fine desiccated coconut
· Chai spice glaze with candied ginger
· Strawberry cream cheese filling with crushed graham cracker crumbs
· Cinnamon sugar coating with apple pie filling
· Lavender glaze with honey drizzle and sliced almonds
You can see why many local cafes, restaurants and specialist dessert shops generate interest and make sales by creating items. Social media fads and trends mean people always look for the next big thing. You only have to consider the short-term boost outlets like Tubbees Desert Lab in Ibrox, Glasgow, to realise people will travel very long distances for a unique product or shopping experience. This is one of the reasons Dawn Foods became an ingredient supplier, because back in the day people were travelling across the USA to taste their doughnuts.
Consumers show they are willing to pay a high price for viral products that everyone is talking about. There is no reason why an eye-catching or mesmerising doughnut cannot become the next food and drink product everyone is talking about.
At BFP, we love doughnuts, and we will always will. We also love empowering you to conjure up new creations. Whether you want to drive your business to new heights or simply appreciate whipping up a storm in the kitchen, you can’t go wrong with a doughnut. With our help, we want to see you impact the future timeline of this fantastic treat.
BFP are working with new suppliers and will soon be offering a DOT'S collection. Dot is the European name for doughnuts. Watch this space, and keep a look out on our website.
Finally before we end, we are reaching out to bakers who read this story to support National Doughnut Week sponsored by our friends at CSM Ingredients. It’s a fantastic cause supporting The Children’s Trust and great PR for local bakers. For more information please head to the website here.
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