167: They’ve Opened the Door to Streakers

Flavor Debate

The debate over canonical bagel flavors is both humorous and contentious. John Siracusa shares his frustration about the unexpected bagel flavor lists he encountered, prompting him to blog about what he considers the essential bagel varieties 1. He emphasizes the distinction between what constitutes a bagel and what is merely a flavor, noting that some flavors, like garlic, didn't make the cut despite their popularity 2.

I paid for the inflight Wi-Fi just so I could complain to Marco directly about this podcast.

--- John Siracusa

Marco Arment challenges John's list, pointing out inconsistencies and questioning the exclusion of certain flavors like garlic 2.

   

Cultural Roots

Bagel culture is deeply rooted in regional traditions, particularly in New York and Montreal. Marco Arment and John discuss the factors that contribute to the unique quality of bagels in these areas, such as cooking techniques and the importance of fresh, local ingredients 3. Casey Liss humorously asserts his cultural authority on bagels, attributing their excellence to the significant Jewish populations in these cities 4.

The origins of bagels are somewhat obscure, says the origin of truth, Wikipedia.

--- Casey Liss

John counters that true knowledge of bagels comes from growing up in the New York metro area, not from heritage alone 4.