A Homeric Holiday

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, June 4th, 2010

(Image: Life is a Joke)

As you clever readers have already inferred, today is National Donut Day.

I swear I didn’t just make it up.

If you don’t believe me, you can head to your nearest Dunkin’ Donuts for a free pastry with every beverage purchase, or to participating Krispy Kreme stores for one free ring of delicious – no purchase necessary.

If you feel the need for a bit more discernment in your breakfast celebration, head to Arlington’s Slice N Dice for a variety of homemade delights.

In honor of this sweet holiday, I myself floated into the virtual donut-o-sphere until my eyes were well-glazed.  Here is what I learned:

Each time these secular, obscure holidays wave hello on overly detailed calendars, I can’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Towel Day?  National Beheading Day?  National Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month? (Ahem, that one’s in September.)

It’s not that I’m complaining about an excuse to indulge in our nation’s sweetest icon, but I want to know who had such a brilliant idea.  It looks like we can give credit to the Salvation Army for establishing the tradition 72 years ago.  That’s much older and thus perhaps more legit than Be Late for Something Day.

But who can we thank for the donut?

Pillsbury had yet to birth its doughboy when the first donut pastry recipes were hitting the cookbooks.  Some may point to Dutch origins, but the donut has unarguably become an American culinary idol.  You won’t see the French gorging themselves at their local Krispy Kremes today.

If you want to quickly learn more about our not-so healthy relationship, you may either watch a Simpson’s episode or read the closest-thing-to-sparknotes-I-can-offer on Dr. Mullin’s Glazed America: A History of the Doughnut.  Or for less flour-dusty pages, cartoonist Mark Parisi seems to specialize in a looped brand of humor.

And finally, for a modern twist in doughnut technology, give a nod to Robert Bohannon for his “Buzz Donut” – a caffeinated pastry as an alternative for those of us who have trouble juggling a cup of Joe in one hand and breakfast in the other.

It seems mighty convenient, but would you eat one?

-Jamel Daugherty

Tags: Dunkin' Donuts, food holidays, Homer Simpson, Krispy Kreme, National Donut Day, pastries, Slice N Dice, snacks