What is a Pumpernickel Bagel? — Gotham Bagels (2024)

Tall, dark, and handsome! The pumpernickel bagel is the swarthiest of bagel flavors, and (to some) the most mysterious. What is pumpernickel, and where did it come from? Let’s take a journey back to the old country…

What is a Pumpernickel Bagel? — Gotham Bagels (2)

What is pumpernickel?

Pumpernickel refers to a type of rye bread hailing from Germany. It is traditionally made from dark rye flour or rye berries and sourdough culture. In its birthplace, the Westphalia region of Germany, it has been baked for centuries in lidded pans at low temperatures. The low temperature means a long bake time—often around 14 hours in the oven! Nowadays, pumpernickel bread often uses commercial yeast and is made from a mixture of rye and wheat flours to cut down on the long prep time. Some recipes even call for a little bit of coffee grounds to deepen the dark, rich flavor.

Why try pumpernickel?

What makes pumpernickel special is its dark brown color and earthy, slightly sweet taste. Spices like caraway and onion add an exotic bite that is simply delicious. Pumpernickel has no crust, and is dense and hearty. It’s a healthy choice, too—rye flour packs less carbs than wheat, and supplies a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well. It goes well with ingredients that benefit from an extra element of nuttiness. As a base for a lox, cream cheese, and onion sandwich, it strikes a powerful Central European chord.

What is a Pumpernickel Bagel? — Gotham Bagels (4)

Why is it a classic bagel flavor?

It makes sense that pumpernickel bagels first appeared in New York, where immigrants from across the pond brought their tastes and traditions. Northern, Central, and Eastern Europeans had long enjoyed varieties of “black” bread made with rye flour. Thus the bagel, a Polish-Jewish invention, bumped into the other breads popular among Europeans in the big city, and a star was born. This bagel flavor became highly sought after by New Yorkers, and the rest of the world has since caught on. The pumpernickel bagel is an excellent example of old-world tradition and hard-hitting deliciousness.

Sarah Kutz

What is a Pumpernickel Bagel? — Gotham Bagels (2024)

FAQs

What is in a pumpernickel bagel? ›

UNBLEACHED UNBROMATED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WATER, RYE PUMPERNICKEL FLOUR, BROWN SUGAR, MALT SYRUP, contains 2% or less of each of the following: CARAMEL COLOR, SEA SALT, CARAWAY SEEDS, RAISIN JUICE CONCENTRATE, YEAST ...

Is a pumpernickel bagel healthier than a regular bagel? ›

Pumpernickel has no crust, and is dense and hearty. It's a healthy choice, too—rye flour packs less carbs than wheat, and supplies a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well. It goes well with ingredients that benefit from an extra element of nuttiness.

What is pumpernickel made of? ›

Pumpernickel (English: /ˈpʌmpərnɪkəl/; German: [ˈpʊmpɐˌnɪkl̩]) is a typically dense, slightly sweet rye bread traditionally made with sourdough starter and coarsely ground rye. It is sometimes made with a combination of rye flour and whole rye grains ("rye berries").

Is pumpernickel healthy? ›

The selenium, copper, and plant compounds, like lignans, found in pumpernickel all act as antioxidants in the body, which help reduce inflammation and fight off disease-causing free radical molecules. In fact, lignans have been linked to reduced risk for chronic disease like cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

Is pumpernickel bagel good for diabetics? ›

Pumpernickel Bread

It is one of the healthier bread made from sourdough starters and coarsely ground rye. In addition, the fermented rye and lower GI value make pumpernickel bread ideal for diabetes. A study also notes that pumpernickel bread can be a valuable part of the diet for reducing postprandial glycemia.

Is pumpernickel bagel whole grain? ›

Bagels Made from Whole Grains

"Most bagels are made with refined white flour, which doesn't offer too many benefits nutritionally. Look for bagels that contain at least some whole grains like pumpernickel, whole wheat, oat or multigrain," says Philadelphia-based Melissa Altman-Traub, M.S., RDN.

What's the healthiest bagel to eat? ›

Bagels can be healthy if made with whole grains, contain minimal fat and sugar, and are an appropriate portion size for your health goals. For a healthier choice, look for whole wheat, whole grain, or rye bagels. While bagels with cream cheese are delicious, traditional cream cheese is not necessarily healthy.

Can I eat a bagel every day? ›

It's much smarter to stick to half a bagel and just enjoy the other half for another breakfast. Bottom Line: Save the bagels for one day a week. When you do enjoy it, have a half along with some protein to help keep you satisfied.

What is the best bread to eat for weight loss? ›

Whole grain bread is the healthiest pick for weight. It provides you with the nutrition of several whole grains like oats, barley, corn and others. Whole grain means whole kernel -the bran, germ and endosperm, which makes them highly nutritious.

Why does pumpernickel bread taste so good? ›

Since the whole grain is coarsely milled, compared to white flour, pumpernickel takes on its signature color and nutty flavor.

Is pumpernickel bread good for constipation? ›

Research has shown that eating wholegrain rye bread relieves constipation and also decreases appetite.

Is pumpernickel hard to digest? ›

Although there's some debate about the origin of the name, pumpernickel in German basically translates to “hard to digest,” due to the density of the bread. Traditionally, this type of bread been made with coarsely ground rye flour and rye grains, sometimes combined with whole wheat flour or some white flour.

Does pumpernickel bread have a lot of sugar? ›

For example, according to USDA data, one regular slice of white bread provides about 75 calories and 1.6 grams of sugar but less than one gram of fiber (0.76g). 9 On the other hand, pumpernickel provides 80 calories but over 2 grams of fiber and only 0.2 grams of sugar.

Is black bread pumpernickel? ›

Homemade black bread, often called Pumpernickel, is so hearty and rich in flavor, with different notes and flavors coming through the crunchy crust. The texture is dense but not heavy, just perfect to enjoy with a bowl of soup or a smoked salmon sandwich.

Why are pumpernickel bagels brown? ›

Traditionally, pumpernickel gets its characteristics thanks to a long bake and the Maillard reaction (the chemical process that browns bread).

What gives pumpernickel its taste? ›

Dark, tangy, and dense, traditional pumpernickel bread is made from rye flour mixed with a little wheat flour; several sourdough fermentations are what give it its tangy flavor.

What are the ingredients in Einstein bagels pumpernickel? ›

Pumpernickel Bagel

Fresh-baked bagel made with rye flour, molasses and caraway seeds.

Is pumpernickel a bread or rye? ›

Pumpernickel is a type of rye bread known for its dark brown color and sour and sweet flavors, which are generally stronger than in other types of rye. Since it is a rye bread, pumpernickel is considered to be a healthy choice, although it differs slightly in health benefits compared to other types of ryes.

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