By Helene Labriet-Gross Mon, July 13, 2009, 12:01 am PDT

Is there a more tempting sign? (Photo by House of Sims) That perfectly round circle of dough: sometimes glazed; sometimes filled with sweet, sweet jelly; always fluffy -- and best when "Hot Now." Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Krispy Kreme donut. Like the millions of others who have succumbed to the sweet indulgence of this little ring of flour, yeast, and sugar since July 13, 1937, my own first encounter with a Krispy Kreme was an instant revelation: I had to have a second one right away! The company's success story began in Winston-Salem, NC, when Rudolph Vernon, who had previously worked in donut shops with his uncle in Kentucky and Tennessee, decided to open his own shop. The legend says that he chose Winston-Salem after looking at a pack of Camel cigarettes and seeing they were manufactured there. Using a recipe his uncle had bought from a Frenchman in Louisiana, Rudolph began by selling donuts to stores around town, but soon customers, attracted by the irresistibly delicious smells emanating from the Krispy Kreme kitchens, wanted to cut out the middleman and buy directly from Vernon. When mechanization came along the 1950's, the days of hand-cut donuts were over, to be replaced by Krispy Kremes that were cut, cooked, and glazed automatically. The donut-making theatre became a local attraction that expanded to New York City in 1996 and Los Angeles three years later. The world had to wait until 2001 to eat Krispy Kremes, though, when the company expanded to Canada, Australia, Mexico, and England, adding to the happy throngs who can enjoy the sweet treat. Once you've sunk your teeth into the 200+ calories, it's time to exercise! And what better way than the "Tour de Donut," which has been held annually in Staunton, IL since 1989? Participants of this 32-mile race get minutes deducted from their total time for each donut they eat during the two pit stops. You can also take the "Krispy Kreme Challenge" in Raleigh, NC: run two miles, eat a dozen donuts, and run two more miles -- all in less than one hour. If you're more into savory pleasures, the "Luther Burger" will definitely end your hunger. Popularized by the Gateway Grizzlies minor league baseball club. it consists of a cheeseburger, two strips of bacon, and a sliced Krispy Kreme instead of a regular bun. For the investment of only 1000 calories and 45 grams of fat, you get a full combo menu ... and maybe a heart attack! Suggested Sites... Krispy Kreme: The Success Story - detailed chronology of the maker of the "original glazed." Krispy Kreme Fun Facts - in one week, Krispy Kreme produces enough doughnuts to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City. Around the World in 80 Donuts - from the French beignet to Iceland's kleinuhringur, all the international variations of the donut. National Museum of American History: Krispy Kreme - corporate records and history from 1937 to 1997. Mmm Donuts - words of wisdom from Homer Simpson.

Directory categories: Donut Shops, Donut Recipes, Desserts and Sweets, Restaurants

Archived under: 1930s, American History, Anniversaries, Baking, Brands, Desserts, Donuts, Eating, Fast Food, Food and Drink, Fried Food, Hamburgers, History, In Character, Inventors, Junk Food, Races, Restaurants, United States

Post a comment (0) | Email this posting | The Spark Home