Welcome to our series featuring Food Holidays: December 11th, 2022. Todays is National “Have a Bagel Day” which I will pass on celebrating as I am not to fond of Bagels and neither is Charlie. David does like Bagels and he said he wouldn’t mind celebrating National “Have a Bagel” Day. Would you like to join David for a Bagel and I can have Toast and Jelly.
Did you know National Bagel Day is January 15th? Bagels have a history that is richer than our favorite Cream Cheese spread! Bagels can be found just about anywhere: breakfast joints, coffee shops, supermarkets, and our kitchen pantry. Did you know in 2018 more than 354 million Bagels were sold.
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 wrapped up in parchment paper in your hands today. Unlike many things created nearly five-hundred years ago, Bagels are remarkably unchanged. Sure, Cream Cheeses and Butters flavors and toppings may have evolved over time but 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 it 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,” which we still enjoy to this day with little to no changes: Lox, Cream Cheese, Capers, Tomatoes, or 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 (the coolest thing!) made mass manufacturing much more efficient. Since then, Bagels have taken off to include a variety of Flours, toppings, dips and smears but still remain – by and large – exactly as they were in the 1600s.
Five facts about the Bagel:
The Bagel originated in Poland and the Bagel was designed for Lent.
Bagel name 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, which allows bakers to transport the Bagel more easily.
TRADITIONS OF NATIONAL BAGEL DAY
Head to your local Bakery and take a big ole bite into a yummy, warm, Bagel with your favorite toppings!
Surprisingly simple and rather enjoyable, there’s nothing that tastes or smells better than freshly baked Bagels straight out of the oven.
Considering that the initial written context of Bagels came as a traditional gift for pregnant women, Bagels will go great at any maternity ward!
NATIONAL BAGEL DAY STATS
54% of Americans eat Bagels fresh while it may be convenient to stock up on store-bought, Bagels its clear that we have a preferred palate for freshly baked Bagels.
77% turn Bagels eaten as the main dish for whichever Beal that may be.
75% like Bagels toasty with nearly 90 percent of users putting Cream Cheese, Butter, or some kind of topping on the Bagel. It’s clear that the contrast between hot and cold is the desired method of Bagel lovers.
NATIONAL BAGEL DAY ACTIVITIES
- Today is an opportunity to appreciate the versatility of the Bagel, and feel free to use Bagels as an excuse to try as many flavors as you would like!
- What office, classroom, or friends doesn’t love Bagels? Visit local Bagel shops for exclusive National Bagel Day deals and purchase Bagels to share.
- Everyone has their favorite Bagel place, so maybe it’s time to figure out which Bagel is the best. Maybe each place has its own specialty Bagel. Be adventurous and try out.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL BAGEL DAY
- Have you ever walked into a Bagel shop and noticed all the different flavors available? Bagels weaved with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl to the Classic Everything Bagel. There is always a variety to satisfy your sweet or savory cravings.
- Many of us have had Bagels for breakfast. How about as a Deli Sandwich? Or maybe a Pizza Bagel? The chewy and dense texture make Bagels a perfect vehicle for toppings, spreads, and anything else delicious you can think of!
- You can find Bagels at Supermarkets, Coffee Shops, and Gas Stations. You can eat Bagels toasted or plain. Either way, Bagels are a delicious and easy choice when you are on-the-go.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
