Unwrapped: Einstein Bros Bagels

Summary

In this episode of Unwrapped, Mark Summers explores the delightful world of bagels, a breakfast staple that has transcended from a New York specialty to a nationwide favorite. The show delves into the rich history of bagels, originating from an Austrian baker's tribute to a Polish prince, and their evolution into an American classic. Einstein Brothers Bagel, a leading bagel producer in Whittier, California, is highlighted for its daily production of nearly a million bagels. The meticulous process of making bagels is unveiled, from the science of mixing ingredients to the art of shaping and baking. The video also touches on the importance of resting and proofing the dough, and the final step of freezing to preserve the yeast's activity. Einstein Brothers' commitment to quality is evident in their attention to detail, ensuring each bagel is a perfect start to the day.

Takeaways

• 🍩 Bagels have a rich history, originating from an Austrian baker's creation in honor of a Polish prince, and have since become a widespread breakfast favorite in America.
• 📈 Einstein Brothers Bagel in Whittier, California, produces nearly a million bagels daily, amounting to an impressive 260 million bagels annually.
• 🔬 The bagel-making process is intricate, involving various scientific disciplines including biology, chemistry, and physics to ensure precision and quality.
• 🌾 The production starts with three truckloads of flour, which is sifted and mixed with precise measurements of other ingredients to create the dough.
• 🏭 The mixing process is followed by a series of steps including hopper loading, elevator transport, and chunker division to form small dough balls.
• 🛌 The dough then rests in an intermediate proofer, allowing it to relax and recover from the stress of processing, similar to how muscles need rest after exercise.
• 🎭 Mandrels shape the relaxed dough balls into the familiar bagel form, and the bagels are then subjected to a warm steam box to activate the yeast.
• 🛁 Bagels are given a quick bath in a 160°F pool to develop their characteristic chewy skin before entering a retarder to slow down yeast activity.
• ❄️ The bagels are then frozen, not to kill the yeast but to put it into a dormant state, allowing for packaging and shipping to Einstein Brothers' nationwide locations.
• 🍯 Einstein Brothers offers a variety of spreads and 16 different flavors of bagels, yet the plain bagel remains the top seller, accounting for over 50% of their sales.
• 🏡 Despite the playful description of the bagels' 'restful life,' they serve a vital role in providing energy for many people's daily activities.

Q & A

What is Mark Summers enjoying for his morning meal?

Mark Summers is enjoying some cereal for his morning meal.

What is Mark's all-time breakfast favorite?

Mark's all-time breakfast favorite is bagels.

How long have bagels been around?

Bagels have been around for more than 300 years.

Who created the bagel and for what reason?

An Austrian baker created the bagel in honor of a Polish Prince, and it was in the shape of a stirrup because the Polish Prince was an avid horseman.

What is the Austrian word for stirrup that the bagel was named after?

The Austrian word for stirrup, which the bagel was named after, is 'Bole'.

How many bagels does Einstein Brothers produce in a year?

Einstein Brothers produces 260 million bagels in a year.

What is the significance of the intermediate proofer in the bagel-making process?

The intermediate proofer is a place for the dough to rest, allowing it to relax after being stressed out from the mixing process.

What does the warm steam box do during the bagel-making process?

The warm steam box wakes up the yeast in the bagel dough.

Why do the bagels go through a retarder after the steam box?

The bagels go through a retarder to slow down the yeast growth, allowing for controlled proofing.

How does the 160° F pool contribute to the bagel's texture?

The 160° F pool gives the bagel its characteristic chewy skin.

What is the purpose of freezing the bagels after they are boiled?

Freezing the bagels after boiling is to stop the yeast activity temporarily, allowing for packaging and shipping without over-proofing.

What is the most popular flavor of bagel sold at Einstein Brothers?

The plain bagel is the most popular flavor, accounting for more than 50% of the bagels sold.