Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 11th, 2021. Today is National “Have a Bagel Day” which I believe I will pass on. Just as Charlie will because he doesn’t eat Bagels. Before you ask me about David I don’t know if he does or not. How about you?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BAGEL DAY
Bagels have a long and highly documented history that travels from the Jewish families of Poland in the 1600s to the wrapped up in parchment paper in your hands today. Unlike many things created nearly five-hundred years ago, Bagels are remarkably unchanged. Cream Cheeses, Butters flavors and toppings have evolved over time, but the Bagel is a beigel is a beygal.
Bagels made the jump to America with a massive Polish-Jewish immigration in the 1800s that firmly entrenched itself in New York City where the Bagel thrived. In fact, an entire Union was created in the early 1900s called Bagel Bakers Local 338 to support the growing, immigrant-led industry. That also begat the “Bagel brunch,” that we still enjoy to this day with little to no changes: Lox, Cream Cheese, Capers, Tomatoes, and Red Onions.
While Bagels were hugely popular in New York City almost immediately, Bagels didn’t make their way to the National scale until the mid-20th-Century where automation and bread slicing made mass manufacturing much more efficient. Since then, Bagels have taken off to include a variety of Flours, and Toppings but still remain – by and large – exactly as Bagels were in the 1600s.
WHY EVERYONE LOVES NATIONAL BAGEL DAY
- Have you ever walked into a Bagel shop and noticed all the flavors available? From Bagels with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl to the Cassic Everything Bagel, there is always a variety to satisfy your cravings.
- Many of us have had Bagels for breakfast. Have you use a Bagel to create a Deli Sandwich or to create a Pzza Bagel? The chewy dense texture makes Bagels a perfect vehicle for toppings, and spreads, you can think of!
- You can find Bagels in Supermarkets, Coffee Shops, and Gas Stations. You can eat Bagels toasted or plain.
Five food facts to know about the Bagel:
The Bagel originated in Poland and was created for Lent.
The name Bagel derives from the Yiddish word ‘bengal’, meaning ‘ring’ or ‘bracelet’.
Immigrant Polish-Jews brought the Bagel to the United States.
Automated production and distribution of frozen Bagels started in the 1960s with Bagel baker Harry Lender, Murray Lender, and Florence Sender.
The hole in the center of the Bagel is for multiple Bagels to be threaded onto a dowel, allowing bakers to transport the Bagel more easily.
TRADITIONS OF NATIONAL BAGEL DAY
Purchase and eat a Bagel. Pretty easy! Head to your Bakery and order a Bagel with your favorite toppings!
Bake a Bagel. Surprisingly simple and enjoyable, there’s nothing that smells better than Baked Bagels straight out of the oven. A great activity for you and your children.
Give a bagel. Considering that the initial written context of Bagels came as a traditional gift for pregnant women, Bagels would be a good treat at any maternity ward!
NATIONAL BAGEL DAY STATS
54% of Americans eat fresh Bagels. While it may be convenient to stock up on store-bought Bagels, it’s clear that we have a preferred palate for freshly baked Bagels. 77% of bagels are eaten as the main dish for whichever meal that may be. Bagels are sustainable enough to toast them . 75% like Bagels toasty or warmed up and will gladly buy a fresh, hot Bagel over anything cold. Nearly 90 percent of users put Cream Cheese, or Butter on the Bagel. It’s clear that the contrast between hot and cold is the desired method of bagel consumption.
NATIONAL BAGEL DAY ACTIVITIES
- Take this day as an opportunity to have a Bagel, and feel free to use the Holiday as an excuse to try as many flavors as you would like!
- What office, classroom, or friends doesn’t love Bagels? Scope out your Bagel shops for exclusive National Bagel Day deals and spring for Bagels to share.
- Everyone has their favorite Bagel place, so maybe it’s time to figure out which Bagel is the besst. Be adventurous and try out your friends favorite Bagel shops.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
