SPOT.ph Roadtest: Does the Returning 1950s Dunkin' Donut Have a Place in Today's Doughnut Scene?

(SPOT.ph) When it comes to OG doughnuts, one of the top names to come to mind is definitely Dunkin'. The brand has been around as early as the 1950s and have definitely evolved over the years, but you know what they say about classics—they stand the test of time. Or at least that's what we assumed, as news broke out about a Dunkin' "Original" from the 1950s that's currently available in a Dunkin' store in your neighborhood (yep, here in the Philippines!). The brand used a time machine and transported one of their best-known offerings 73 years into its future, but how does it fare today?

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Just in case it slipped through your mind, Dunkin's name does actually mean literal "dunking." You dunk the doughnut in coffee which, in a way, is similar to how we Filipinos have a breakfast habit of dunking pan de sal in coffee. This is why the "Original" Dunkin' Donut  is popular for its unique feature: The doughnuts came with a handle.

Here's a better grasp on the original Dunkin' Donut 

First impressions

The original Dunkin' Donut is as simple as simple gets: a plain fried doughnut. It's a donut with no coating of sugar, no glaze, no filling, and no flavoring. But then, there's the protruding handle stick that makes this donut stand out from all the other donuts of the current century.

We're accustomed to doughnuts with holes in the center, but then there are also ones without a hole and others shaped like a bar (a.k.a. Long Johns). On special occasions, there are other uniquely shaped doughnuts such as the heart-shaped donuts for Valentine's Day, but nothing as uniquely-shaped as the original Dunkin' donut. This has similarities to a shape of a paddle—maybe even a key or a gender symbol.

First bite

We've all learned to never judge a book by its cover, therefore, we had to try the original Dunkin' for ourselves. 

The original Dunkin' Donut is heavier and denser than regular doughnuts you buy from cafés and panaderias. If you've ever tried doughnut cakes before, the original Dunkin' Donut has that same heft to it, but is on the drier side. "Dry" isn't exactly what anyone would look for in a doughnut, but we do believe there are people who would prefer how simple and understated this doughnut is when eaten on its own.

As for its taste, the last thing you should expect is that it's sweet. Although there is a hint of sweetness in its doughnut batter, akin to the regular Butternut donut, its cakey flavor is not dominant. Mind you, though, it's not meant to be plain. In fact, the way to elevate the original Dunkin' Donut is when you follow its sole purpose of being dipped in coffee—speficially Dunkin's stellar brewed coffee which made it to our Top 10 Brewed Coffee for P50 and Under in Manila list.

When the original Dunkin' Donut is dipped in hot coffee, the denseness and dryness of the doughnut suddenly make sense as it's meant to absorb the coffee. The doughnut doesn't crumble away or become soggy; rather, it holds its form well even if soaked in the aromatic liquid.

Does it matter what type of coffee you use? What's great about the original Dunkin' Donut is that it's quite forgiving. It doesn't matter if the coffee is as black as charcoal, sweet as candy, or as pale as the clouds in the sky—the doughnut does not choose its partner. It leaves the pairing all up to you.

Where to buy it

We bought the original Dunkin' Donut from the Dunkin' branch at Matalino Street in Quezon City. The doughnut is sold at P40 per piece, or P109 if bundled with brewed coffee. We recommend buying the latter unless you brew your own coffee.

For more information, check out Dunkin's Facebook page.

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