Tell Me More, Tell Me More

Everyone has their favorites.  Despite the obvious superiority of Five Guys to In-N-Out Burger, there will always be people who prefer In-N-Out.  Taste is subjective, and ultimately people will eat what they like.

That’s where I come in.

Because while taste may be subjective, one can evaluate foods based on a number of criteria.  The criteria themselves are limitless, and on some level subjective as well, but the more specific the criteria the less subjective the evaluation.  For hamburgers first and foremost I prioritize beefiness.  That’s different from flavor, because anything slathered with bacon, cheese, mayonnaise and barbecue sauce will have a ton of flavor.  A long time ago I was a big fan of the blue cheese bacon burger with mustard and onion.  That was a flavor monster, but honestly the patty it was served upon was completely unremarkable.

But I digress.  I bring this up today, even though it’s been on my mind for many months, because I want the people who submitted nominations for the best local cider donut to tell me more. Instead of getting a better understanding of which orchards have the best cider donuts in the region, I’m just getting a list of orchards that sell cider donuts.

Before I continue I just need to say that all your comments truly are appreciated, in whatever form they take.  This just struck a raw nerve today.  I’ll be okay tomorrow.  Promise.

This is what I asked for:

If you have any others, please let me know what they are and why you think their cider donuts are the best.  Is it the moistness, their deep cider flavor, the pungency of their spices, or maybe something about the crumb.  I am as interested in the reason you are nominating a donut as I am in the nomination itself.

The problem is just saying that you love Donut A tells me nothing.  If you tell me Donut A is the best, I have precious little information to evaluate that statement.

Someone could think Donut A is the bee’s knees because its the sweetest cider donut they’ve ever had.  Some people could prioritizing size or value.  Others could swear by a donut because of the oil in which it is fried.

The examples that I have now put in bold, for emphasis above, were just a few thought starters about potentially interesting criteria for evaluating a cider donut.

I can imagine someone preferring a specific orchard’s donuts because of how they smell cooking, or that the sugar is more securely attached, or that the donut making operation is on display.  These may not be directly related to the taste of the donut, but that doesn’t make them any less valid reasons for establishing a favorite.

Let’s get some details.  Why are the Altamont Orchard’s donuts “amazing”?  What is the reason that Goold’s donuts might be better on a certain day of the week?  And what day might that be?  All I know about Saratoga Apple now is their address.  Fo’Castle Farm makes Phairhead scream, but I don’t quite understand what all the yelling is about.  Hicks’ donuts are good when they are hot, but is that because of their interior, the crust, the sugar coating, the aroma, the deep satisfying belly warmth on a cool fall day, or what?  Lakeside is recommended in the same breath with Indian Ladder Farms, but I remain unclear about how they compare.

I’m relying on you people.  There are only so many donut places I can travel to in one day.  There are only so many donuts I can conceivably eat.  So I want to make this count, and try to narrow down the field to the four best donuts in terms of taste and texture.

But this rant has implications even beyond today.  Just look at the comments from a recent Table Hopping post.  Without any sense of people’s criteria, the comments just become a pile up of context free lists.  That is of no use to anybody, nor does it make for a very interesting conversation about food.  I know sometimes it’s hard to find the words, but please give it a shot.

If you need any specific guidance, look to Kater and Vicki whose very different comments really helped me to get a better understanding of their pick for best cider donut.

Thank you for putting up with this FLB.