The "Dunkin" in
Dunkin’ Donuts is supposed to refer to
dunking donuts in your
coffee, but it always makes me think of the grease they were cooked in. The donuts produced by most large franchises are fried in huge
vats of oil heated to very
high temperatures, causing the oil to break down after a few days. Instead of changing the oil, a powdered
chemical is added to
supposedly restore the
molecular structure of the oil and remove any hint of
rancidity. The same oil may be used for weeks on end.
There's something else you should know about donuts (or doughnuts as the case may be). The fillings for “cream-filled” donuts contain not a trace of cream. They are made from a substance called “heavenly white," which is some sort of vegetable oil spun at high speed until it turns into something resembling white vaseline. The addition of sugar, flavourings and food colouring transform it into various kinds of cream fillings.
Better to order a muffin with your coffee.