Who does not love a donut, I think the local “Donut Shop” is the best, bar none.

There are a number of theories about who actually invented them, but I think we need to pay homage to someone for bringing us these little beauties. In one theory it is suggested that doughnuts were introduced into North America by Dutch settlers. This theory is bolstered by the fact that in the mid-19th century doughnuts were called olykoeks ("oily cakes") by the Dutch. However, there is also archaeological evidence that the pastries were prepared by prehistoric Native Americans in the southwestern United States so the Dutch may have stolen the idea. A fellow by the name of Gregory Hansen, an American laid claim to the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847. When he was sixteen serving on a lime trading ship he became dissatisfied with the greasiness and raw centers of the doughnuts of the day. He punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship's tin pepper box allowing the doughnuts to cook more thoroughly. I am not sure the exact lineage of the tasty little treat but they are tasty little treats.

I have had many donuts over the years but two best donuts in the world are to found at Mrs. Murphy’s donuts on College highway in Southwick Massachusetts and at the Donut Shop on University blvd in Jacksonville Florida. Mrs. Murphy’s I was turned onto by a friend who grew up in the north, we still get them sometimes, either shipped in or hand carried. The Donut shop shares a building with a Gate station where I get my morning coffee. I have travelled the world, literally, and have found no donuts that compare, foreign or domestic. I am sure somewhere out there a rival exists for these two but I have not found them.

My favorite donuts have always been the plain cake, that with a glass of milk is a small sampling of what heaven must be like. This is an area that Mrs. Murphy’s excels, there plain cake donut is huge, probably 4 inches around and maybe 1.5 inches thick. I have never measured but they are huge and VERY good. The Donut shop makes a fantastic cake donut as well but they are not as large. As far as the plain glazed I feel the Donut shop excels, very light and fluffy without an overloading of glaze that you might see at a Krispy Kream. Mrs. Murphy’s plain glazed is also very good. The donut shop has what they call an “ugly”. I am not sure how that donut got started but it looks like a big blob and is kind of ugly and is so wonderful I can not even come up with words to describe it. I liken it to experiencing the pyramids of Egypt, I have never been able to explain what that experience was like. Yes an “ugly” is that good.

I have not had any type of donut for over 13 weeks, which I believe is a record. I am trying to lose weight and donuts are not going to contribute in a positive way to that effort. It has been hard for me as I stop at the Gate to get my coffee every morning and can smell those little wonderfully delicate beauties. I have another 29 weeks of dieting if all goes according to plan before I reach my goal weight of 200 pounds, although I know I will be limited I am looking forward to being able to have, at least occasionally, a donut with my morning coffee or a glass of cold milk.

Where do you get your donuts?