Can Ulster County, NY Take Credit for NYC’s “Best Bagels”?

New York City is known for having the best bagels. Being a native Hudson Valley resident/ New Yorker, I can vouch for that statement.

I have had bagels in several different states and always feel excited to go home and have a "real" bagel. This is the same reaction that I have when I eat pizza in any other state besides New York.

If you currently live in New York state, you should feel honored to be able to get the best bagels and pizza and not have to travel too far.

As we always cheer on New York for their best of everything, do we know where great tasting food items come from?

How Does New York Accomplish Having The Best Bagels In The World?

NPR published an article that dives into the depth of New York City bagels and why are simply the best and questioning how they gained that award.

According to NPR,

"New York's water does play a role in influencing bagel texture, the effect is actually pretty minor, according to the ACS video. Harder water toughens the gluten in the dough, while super soft water can make it goopy."

However, the process of boiling bagels before baking is also essential, according to NPR. As water may have something to do with bagels, the boiling process is key to maintaining the title for having the worlds best bagels.

Where Does New York City Get The Water For Their Best Tasting Bagels?

In the past, we may have thought that the best tasting bagels came from the water in New York City. However, as time has gone on, there have been a few secrets that got out.

It's possible that we never considered the fact that there have been other ways of water entering into New York City from different parts of New York state that bring the best of everything to one location.

SEE ALSO: The Hudson Valley's Best View Is Hidden In Ulster County, NY

Can Ulster County, NY Take Credit For NYC's "Best Bagels"?

Ulster County, NY is the home to historical and influential moments in time that shaped the world. It has an extensive amount of history with some of the first settlers who arrived in the 1600's.

A "Spy House" told a story of the past that still stands in Hurley, NY.  The oldest intersection in America can be found in Kingston, NY.

A quaint town in Ulster County, NY has a hidden fountain, activity center, hiking trail and local chocolate shop to explore.

Have You Heard Of The Ashokan Reservoir before?

The Ashokan Reservoir is a hidden gem with the best views of the Hudson Valley. There is a beautiful, panoramic view of the mountains, the beautiful water, the greenery and all of the scenery and sunshine that surrounds it.

I have gone to The Ashokan Reservoir in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Each season is breathtaking and truly an incredible experience.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation,

"Ashokan Reservoir, located 14 miles west of the City of Kingston in Ulster County, was created in 1915 by the construction of 5 ½ miles of dams and dikes within the Esopus Creek drainage."

 

"This 8,315 acre reservoir is a major component of the Catskill System of the New York City Water supply. The reservoir is broken into two basins by a dividing weir near its center. The Dividing Weir pinches and separates the upper west basin from the lower east basin."

 

According to NYC.gov,

"Ashokan Reservoir is one of two reservoirs in the City’s Catskill Water Supply System. The other is Schoharie Reservoir, located 27 miles to the north, whose water flows into Ashokan via the Shandaken Tunnel and Esopus Creek."

 

Including the water it receives from Schoharie Reservoir, Ashokan Reservoir supplies about 40% of New York City’s daily drinking water needs in non-drought periods. Water enters the Ashokan’s West Basin and, after a settling period, is withdrawn from its East Basin."

 

How Does The Water From Ulster County, NY Reach New York City?

NYC.gov stated that 

"It is carried southeast under the Hudson River via the 92-mile Catskill Aqueduct, which has a maximum depth of 1,114 feet.

 

"It ordinarily enters Kensico Reservoir in Westchester for further settling, where it mixes with Delaware system water and then travels south in two aqueducts before entering New York City’s water supply distribution at Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, just north of the City line."

In New York state, where have you had the best bagels? Share with us below.