Deep-Fried Facts About Doughnuts (Or Is It Donut?)

Doughnut or Donut?

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• “Doughnut” is actually proper, but “donut” is acceptable. If you look in older dictionaries, you’ll only find “doughnut.” However, Merriam-Webster's dictionary now lists “donut” as a variant of “doughnut.”

Doughnuts Through History

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• Hanson Gregory, an American, claimed to have invented the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847 aboard a lime-trading ship when he was 16 years old.
• The Salvation Army Doughnut Lassies made and delivered doughnuts to soldiers on the front lines of World War I. Up to 9,000 doughnuts were served to the troops daily.
• In 1920, Russian-born Adolph Levitt created the first doughnut-making machine in New York City.

National Doughnut Day

Chicago, circa 1935 (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The first Friday in June and November 5th are National Doughnut Day.
• National Doughnut Day was officially established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression.

U.S. vs. Canada

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• The U.S. doughnut industry is worth 3.6-billion dollars.
• America produces more than 10-billion doughnuts every year.
• Boston, Massachusetts has the most doughnut shops per capita in the U.S. and is home to Dunkin' Donuts.
• However, Canada has more doughnut shops per capita than any other country. Tim Hortons is the preferred brand up there.

Giant Jelly

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• The largest doughnut ever made was an American-style jelly doughnut weighing 1.7-tons, which was 16-feet in diameter and 16-inches high in the center.

Haight Loves Doughnuts

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• The Guinness World Record for doughnut eating is held by John Haight, who scarfed down 29 doughnuts in just over six minutes.

Calories, Schmalories

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• There are roughly 200 calories in the average doughnut. But who wants an average doughnut?
• In the old days, doughnuts were fried in lard. These days, most doughnuts are fried in healthier oils.

Say My Name

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• According to the Salvation Army, thirteen people in the United States are actually named 'Donut.' If I were one of them, I would have my last name legally changed to 'Shop.'