Bagel: The Circle of Life

Taida Student Journal
A newsletter of National Taiwan University


Bagels: the legend of the circle of life
Ying-ying Shih

Have you noticed that a kind of ring-shaped bread has recently invaded many bakeries and cafes? If you think they are some distant relatives of doughnuts, then you are mistaken. Although without the dazzling appearance of glazed doughnuts, these mysterious rolls have a unique flavor which no other bread in this world could compare with. This special type of bread, an indispensable member of the American diet, is called the bagel.

In order to fully appreciate bagels, let's first learn about their origin. In 1683, as the legend goes, the Polish king Jan Sobieski sucessfully defended Austria from Turkish invasion. A Viennese baker wanted to pay tribute to the king, and since the king was known as a great horseman, the baker decided to shape the dough into a circle resembling a stirrup. The German word for stirrup is beugel. So now it's all made clear to us. The bagel is not only a tasty "stirrup" of bread but also an icon of freedom. In fact, there are also great amounts of folklore about bagels: because of their round shape, they are thought to be symbolic of unending life or of good luck. Bagels are also considered a gift for women in childbirth in Poland. After the Eastern European Jewish immigrants brought them to the U.S. in the early 1900s, bagels became closely associated with New York and Chicago, cities with large Jewish populations. Today, New York is still synonymous with the source of quality bagels. It's no wonder that almost every bakery making bagels claims to have an NY connection.

Despite various versions of the bagel's birth, there is only one way to produce its incomparable taste. Bagels are made of the traditional bread ingredients: sugar, salt, yeast, and flour, with the addition of gluten flour to make the dough elastic and chewy.

Before baking, the yeast dough has to be boiled for several minutes so that it puffs up in the water and rises no more during baking. This is the secret to bagel's crispy surface and tender interior. Yet this isn't the only flavor bagels can offer. Nowadays bagel makers have developed a complete selection to satisfy everyone's need, ranging from the more traditional flavoring of nuts and spices to fruits, chocolate chips, cheese, and whole wheat. The ways to prepare bagels are also as diverse as the flavor. The question of "to toast or not to toast" has always been a dilemma to bagel aficionados. Besides, bagels are often sliced into two halves and filled with a variety of toppings. Some people go for the more orthodox choice--cream cheese. Some prefer lox, jam or butter, while there are still others who use bagels as an all-purpose bread product for sandwich. Of course we couldn't leave out the opinions of the bagel purists, who maintain that well-baked bagels need no superfluous ornament.

My first encounter with bagels took place in Japan years ago. At that time, bagels were still unknown in Taiwan but had already captured the appetite of many Japanese. I was impressed by their lovely shape and the varieties they had. Even without knowing its name, I knew this bread was going to taste good, and indeed, it did not disappoint me. Years later, we finally have bagels in Taiwan. Whether they are called ??, ??, or ????, they all represent the matchless flavor of bagels. However, not all ring-shaped breads can qualify as true bagels. To pass the aesthentic and taste test, a bagel has to be shiny on the outside and compact on the inside. So far, the best bagel I have tasted in Taipei is the blueberry bagel in Starbuck’s café. It is not only elastic but also a bit sticky, which provides good workout for your cheeks and teeth. It is generously made into a large ring which is enough to prepare you for a day's hard work. Besides, the heating service in the café further brings out the best of the bagels. If you would like to choose from a more complete selection, Marco Polo bakery, with more than eight flavors freshly made every day, will be your best choice.

For those who haven't tasted this magic bread, hurry to your nearest bakery to get a bite. Although it is classified as a breakfast food, I recommend that it should be enjoyed whenever and wherever you like. However, people who don't have good gums might need to refrain from the temptation of bagels or they might risk losing their teeth. But then, after all, it's still worth a try.

To find out more about bagel legends, bagel poems, the battle between bagels and doughnuts, Bagel Safety Information, etc. Just search for "bagel" on the web and you’ll find out everything you want to know about this lovely circle of life.
Posted 13th January 2000 by Taida Student Journal
Labels: Volume 5 Issue 2

http://taidajournal.blogspot.com/2000/01/bagels-legend-of-circle-of-life.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagel