The Real Reason Pop-Tarts Have Holes
Sometimes, you've just gotta wolf down your breakfast on the go. Some mornings are so busy that it's almost impossible to sit down to munch on a bowl of cereal or inhale a stack of waffles, let alone prepare a plate of eggs. And for those mornings in particular? Behold the mighty Pop-Tart! The rectangular, indulgent, stuffed pastry that was designed to fit perfectly in a toaster made its official American debut in 1967.
Kellogg's, the Michigan-based food giant, had been enjoying success from its cereal products for decades. Post, one of its largest competitors that happened to be in the same town, came up with a way to preserve fruit filling without the need of a refrigerator by creating a handheld pastry that adults and kids alike could take with them anywhere, according to Spoon University. Long story short, Post did not patent its idea in time, so all the credit went to Kellogg's.
Pop-Tarts are sold pre-cooked and are wrapped in pairs. They're specially designed to be warmed up in a toaster or microwave oven and don't require any refrigeration when they're stored. The four original Pop-Tart flavors were strawberry, blueberry, apple-currant, and brown sugar cinnamon, according to Snack History. Over the past several years, dozens of fun, new varieties have hit grocery store shelves, including classic fruits like cherry and raspberry, as well as dessert-inspired ones like s'mores, strawberry milkshake, and hot fudge sundae (via Pop-Tarts).
Why do Pop-Tarts have holes on the surface?
No one likes soggy food. And certainly, no one likes a soggy breakfast pastry! An oozy, mushy, moist Pop-Tart is typically prevented by the help of a little branch of science called chemistry. Or maybe it's physics? Who knows? Either way, the holes on a Pop-Tart's surface aren't just there for show. In fact, they serve a very important purpose.
The "docker holes" — the faint indents you see in baked goods like crackers and of course, Pop-Tarts — are a key feature, because, without them, steam from the toaster would accumulate inside the Pop-Tart, resulting in unwanted sogginess, according to Mental Floss. Docker holes allow hot air to be released as the pastry dough becomes hotter. There is even an entire podcast episode about docker holes, courtesy of A Way with Words.
So, there you have it, folks! Whether you prefer to eat your Pop-Tarts toasted, untoasted, on the couch, in the car, for breakfast in the morning, or during the day as an indulgent snack, you can have faith in knowing that you can enjoy one (or two) at the perfect consistency every. Single. Time.