National Donut Day
National Donut Day falls on the first Friday in June each year and we are getting geared up to savor our best-loved fried dough confections. Have you ever resisted eating one? It’s certainly an uphill battle. Fortunately, National Donut Day falls on June 3 this year. Be sure to visit your favorite donut shop, choose a variety of chewy deep-fried goodness, and enjoy.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DONUT DAY
At one point or another in our lives, we’ve found ourselves craving a donut. When we think about it, it’s not really a surprise that this treat hits the spot like no other. They pair exceptionally well with tasty hot beverages, they can be had as a quick snack or to accompany a long conversation. Most of all, there’s a donut out there for all of us; from traditional glaze to daring recipes such as maple-bacon donuts.
The origins of National Donut Day are traced to The Salvation Army’s involvement in World War I. During this time, a group of volunteers was dispatched to the frontlines with the mission of providing comforting meals for the troops. They soon found out that donuts were an effective way to provide food while navigating the difficulties of cooking in very dire circumstances. These brave volunteers would later be known as “donut lassies”. They would even use war helmets as a utensil to fry up seven donuts at a time.
In 1938 “Donut Day” was established as a way to honor the members of the Salvation Army that came to the aid of soldiers during World War I. Nowadays, National Donut Day is widely celebrated on the first Friday of June. Many donut shops are known to give them out for free, giving a good reason to take some time out of the day to enjoy this most cherished treat.
TRADITIONS OF THE DAY
The traditions for National Donut Day are simple; eat as many donuts as you can, in as many varieties and flavors as possible. But seriously, this is exactly how the day is traditionally celebrated every year. The donut has come a long way, and is now available in so many delightful variations, how can one resist not trying them all? Whether it is jam-filled donuts, or Bavarian cream, or a good old chocolate glazed original, donuts are enjoyed and celebrated by children and adults alike all over the country.
Food marketing agencies love National Donut Day and donut franchises have deals on their menu as well as special donut flavors prepared just for this day. There is a lot of competition for cops at donut shops, with lines of people clamoring to get their donut fix. Donuts are also cooked at home — a great activity for the family, especially for the kids, who get to decorate their donuts with different icings and toppings.
5 DELICIOUS FACTS ABOUT DONUTS
1.Dutch settlers had a different name for them
They called them “olykoeks”, which translates to, oily cakes.
2.They didn’t always have a hole
These first versions were simply made up of a fried dough, omitting their now characteristic shape.
3.They exist in math
In geometry, the shape of a donut is known as a Torus.
4.There’s a lot of them
It’s estimated that 10 billion donuts are sold in the United States.
5.Donuts can be luxurious
A donut filled with champagne and topped with 24 karat gold can be purchased for hefty fee.
References:
“National Donut Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-donut-day/