What makes a bagel a bagel?!
Answers: Most but not all bagels have holes. So what exactly makes it a bagel and not a biscuit or just round bed
Traditionally all bagels have holes, sometimes the dough proofs up so big that the holes are closed back up during baking. A bagel is boiled AND baked, that is what sets it apart from other breads, and gives the chewy texture.
The way they are prepared, they are boiled anda baked. Yummy for bagels.
the hole
As a former chef and having made and eaten both New York made and Montreal Style bagel , there is 2 things that make them what they are, first the dough, it has less sugar than a doughnut and malt in it different from a regular bread, then boiling it honey or sugar water sets the dough and the plain, sesame. poppyseeds or other made are another way of making it a distinct product.
The little Jewish guy makes a bagel a bagel