Where does the bagel come from?

The origins of the bagel are uncertain, with several different countries laying claim to its invention. One popular theory traces the bagel to the Jewish communities of Poland in the 17th century. Another theory suggests that the bagel originated in Austria or Germany, where similar bread rolls called beugels or beugeln were known since the 14th century. Some historians believe that the bagel may have originated in Italy, where a type of bread called ciambella is similar in shape and texture to the bagel. Regardless of its exact origins, the bagel has become an iconic part of Jewish cuisine and is enjoyed by people all over the world.