Even people who eat bagels regularly often do not know that bagels, unlike other soft and delicious types of bread, are boiled before they are baked. Some bakeries steam bagels, while others boil them in hot water until a nice crust is formed.
Bagels seem to have been around forever in the USA; however, they really didn’t become mainstream until the 1970s. As bagels have become more diverse in flavors, people have begun to enjoy them as a quick and nutritious breakfast. In 2018, it was estimated that almost 209.48 million people enjoyed bagels in the USA alone.
If you are interested in learning more about the wheat-based treat with Jewish origins, read this article until the end. You will learn more about the origins of bagels, how they were invented, and the best pairings to enjoy with your favorite bagels.
How Are Bagels Made?
The traditional recipe for a bagel is quite simple and can be followed successfully by even an amateur baker. The recipe calls for yeast, sweetener, salt, water, and wheat flour. You can start the procedure by mixing all the ingredients in a batch.
Once they are well mixed, the next step is to form and knead the dough for the bagels. Afterward, the dough is divided into small strips then the famous hole-in-the-middle shape is formed for the bagels.
The dough is allowed to proof for at least twelve hours, after which you can boil the bagels to reactivate the yeast. Next, the par-boiled bagels are taken out and sprinkled with bagel toppings such as poppy seeds, salt, sesame seeds, etc.
Then, these bagels are baked and dried for twenty minutes or so until they develop a shiny golden-brown color. By following these simple steps, you can make glossy and tasty bagels at home for yourself and your loved ones.
View this post on Instagram
Who Invented Bagels?
It is not clear who invented the bagel first. People believe the delicious bread roll was first invented to honor a Polish general, Jan Sobieski, who rescued Vienna from the Turks in 1683.
When he rode into the town after his triumph, the locals held onto his stirrups, which were called breugels. The King had a stirrup-shaped bread made in honor of the hero, which became known as a bagel. Other stories say the name comes from the word beigen, a German word which means to bend, and the bread is a descendant of pretzel.
Eastern European immigrants, especially Jewish people, brought their cooking skills as bagel cooks to the USA and started a bagel baker union in the early 1900s in New York City. Harry Lender was a Polish immigrant who saw the potential of the bagel and began baking them in large quantities with his son so they could be sold at supermarkets.
Dan Thompson invented the first machine for making bagels in 1960. Until then, all bagels had been rolled and cooked by hand. The Lenders began baking and freezing their bagels to provide supermarkets and their customers a convenient storage option in the 1960s and 1970s, after which bagels became popular all over America.
Why Do Bagels Have Holes?
Many people wonder if there is a purpose to having a hole in a bagel or if it’s one of those things without any meaning. The hole in a bagel is actually quite important for its surface area. It allows the bagel chef to cook it consistently all the way through without any rawness or doughy texture remaining inside.
Since a bagel can be incredibly dense, this hole is quite important to ensure that the center part of the bagel is properly cooked. Moreover, this hole allows people to enjoy a crustier and chewier bagel everyone loves.
Where Did Bagels Originate From?
It is not clear where bagels truly originated from. Bagels have been thought to have been the creation of Viennese people who named the bread after breugels, a word for stirrups. They were inspired by Jan Sobieski to make this treat as he rescued Vienna from the invasion of Turks.
Some people believe bagels have Yiddish origins, as the first mention of the Polish word baigiel comes from the Yiddish word bagel in 1610. It is believed that this food was given to women in childbirth as a gift.
The author of The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread, Maria Balinska, shares that bagels came to Poland from Germany during the 14th century with a wave of immigrants.
German immigrants brought pretzels to Poland to boost the economy, which turned into a round roll with a hole in the middle over time called obwarzanek. This is thought to be the first mention of this type of bread in history.
How to Keep Bagels Fresh?
Stale bagels just don’t have the delicious taste and texture of fresh bagels, which is why it is important for you to store them correctly.
If you want to enjoy your warm bagels later without them turning too hard, you should simply just store them in a paper bag at room temperature. The paper bag protects the crust of the bagel and keeps its flavor intact.
Even if the bagel gets a bit chewier, you can still enjoy bagels a day after storing them like this. If you would like to store them outside the refrigerator for four to five days, it is best to store your bagels in a paper bag and then place this bag in a plastic bag afterward. However, the best way to ensure freshness is to freeze them.
View this post on Instagram
How to Freeze Bagels?
Freezing bagels is the best way to keep them fresh if you don’t plan to eat them in the next 48 hours. Bagel cooks will advise you to freeze fresh bagels as soon as possible to ensure long-term freshness.
However, before placing them in the freezer, remember to slice these bagels for easier reheating. If you want to reheat and enjoy frozen bagels, you can simply pop them in your toaster for a few minutes and eat them with your favorite spreads.
What Is Lox and Bagels?
Lox and bagels is a delicious dish that is made using bagels. The bagel is sliced in half horizontally, after which it is toasted until warm. Both sides of the bagel are spread with cream cheese, after which a layer of smoked salmon is placed on it.
Toppings can be added depending on different tastes. Some people add thinly sliced red onions, briny capers, fresh dill, avocadoes, tomatoes, etc., as toppings.
What to Eat with Bagels?
Many people prefer to eat bagels with cream cheese. However, it is important to note that this isn’t the only option you should try.
You can try your favorite bagels with peanut butter and granola, bacon with egg and cheese, avocado and poached egg, Nutella, smoked salmon, ham and cheese, pastrami, and other fun toppings.
You can also try inventive bagel dishes such as pizza bagel with pepperoni and cheese and Greek yogurt and fruits bagel for an exciting twist. Stuffed egg and cheese bagels are also a weekend breakfast favorite for many people.
View this post on Instagram
How To Soften Hard Bagels?
The easiest way to soften and enjoy a hardened bagel is to microwave or bake it with some moisture for a few minutes.
The first step is to place a sliced bagel on a plate. Sprinkle almost a tablespoon of water around the bagel on the oven-safe plate. Place the plate in the microwave for thirty to forty-five seconds.
If you are reheating your bagel in a toaster oven, we recommend only placing the bagel in for one to two minutes. Take the bagel out once it is reheated in the oven/microwave, and enjoy it with your favorite toppings.
Bagels – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do bagels last?
Bagels can last up to two to seven days if they are stored in a bread bag at room temperature. If you place them in the freezer, they can last about three to four months.
What is so special about bagels?
Since bagels form a crust during the steaming or boiling process, they don’t rise much in the oven when they are being baked. This results in a chewier and denser texture than ordinary bread.
Are bagels healthier than bread?
In terms of calories, a bagel has more calories than a single slice of bread. However, bagels have more fiber which means you may feel fuller throughout the day and would not feel the need to snack as much as usual.
The Secrets of New York’s Best Bagel — Handmade
Utopia Bagels co-owner Scott Spellman has been making fresh, New York-style bagels for over 40 years. Here he takes us through his bagel-making process and talks us through his philosophy on what makes an NYC bagel the one to beat.
Summary
Bagels are one of the most quintessential American foods, which rose to popularity in the 1970s. People who haven’t tried bagels often mistake them for doughnuts as they have a similar hole in the middle.
However, this hole is necessary for cooking as it allows the wheat-based dough of the bagel to cook through properly during the boiling and baking process. If you want to learn more about bagels, click on the links below for more interesting information.
Related Articles
Best Bagels in the United States
Everything You Want to Know about the Everything Bagel
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.