Bagels in Lima: the brand that offers this New York delicacy and the curious flavors it offers

It all stems from a trip to New York by Thais Woolcott, founder of Baegel. “I tried bagels for the first time and when I came back, she made me eat them but I couldn’t find any options. Thus the bug of creating something was born, although my first tests were not so successful, so I left it for that and other reasons,” she recalls.

That was in 2017, but the time available during the pandemic allowed him to explore the recipe again in 2020. “When I made the recipe, it came out the first time and I started to improve it. I invited my aunts and friends and they loved it. Word of mouth was what helped it take off and we started with that,” says the creator of the brand.

The tests began in June and by the fortnight of the following month they were already offering three bagel options for sale on Instagram. Since that moment, their menu has grown and they currently offer 11 flavors between savory and sweet.

What is a bagel?

It is important to explain what a bagel is, since this bread is well known in different parts of the world and its consumption became widely popular in the United States, especially in New York.

When we asked Thais, he explained that it is a “bread that is shaped like a donut. It has yeast, but what differentiates it is that it is boiled and then baked. This creates a hard, golden and crispy crust. On the inside, however, it is very soft, spongy and quite dense.”

The process to optimize your recipe and preparation took time, but it was worth the effort. “In the case of bagels, there is a lot of talk about temperature and fermentation, you have to adjust the environment and the ingredients a lot so that it comes out the way you want,” emphasizes Woolcott.

A feast of options

Their menu covers different flavor profiles, but they started with three of the most classic in New York. The classic (or plain) which has a neutral flavor; he everything which combines maras salt, onion, garlic, poppy seeds, white and black sesame seeds; and a sweet one, the cinnamon raisin with cinnamon and raisins.

Over time, the menu expanded with flavors such as cheese, onion, white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, rosemary and maras salt. In the case of the sweet options, we find the one with chocolate chips, blueberries and the one inspired by French toast.

Their cream cheeses are the perfect complement to a good bagel. Thus, we find the classic, the smoked (leek and bacon) and the Manhattan (salmon and capers).

They offer baked and pre-cooked and frozen versions. The former are to be enjoyed the same day, while the latter are ideal to store and bake immediately. You can purchase from one unit to six. An interesting option is the Brunch Box, which combines three bagels and a cream cheese, all of your choice.

Baegel presents a different option, strong, tasty and perfect to combine with a wide variety of fillings. From simple and classic options, to powerful and curious flavors.