03.11.08
So healthy they’re almost good for you: Peoples Donuts
Q and A:
What kind of donut costs $1.75? A vegan one.
Why? Because it’s made with natural organic grains and sugar, organic sprinkles, vegetable coloring, and no animal products.
Why would I want to pay for such a thing if I’m not vegan? Because it is delicious.
I’m not usually one to evangelize — I write stuff up and I let you make your choices. But I really think you should go search out Peoples Donuts and eat one. The moist cake donuts are hearty and wholesome (as wholesome as anything fried in oil can be, anyway). They’re glazed in flavors like vanilla, maple, lemon poppyseed, and blueberry. I liked the sugared variety and the lemon poppyseed, with its delicious citrus bite, the best.
And I like the story even better. They’re made out of a former Chinese dive in West Oakland (yes, it has been scoured) by a real estate agent turned donutpreneur named Josh, who was inspired by the vegan donuts he found in other cities. He launched a search to find a granary that would make him a flour mix without whey, and went full-steam into donut-making. Finding a place to make donuts is a big task — it requires a big kitchen hood that some facilities don’t have. But Josh found one, and he’s popping out the tasty pastries with his team of dedicated donut makers. The goods are as environmentally friendly as possible, and Josh hopes one day to deliver them by bike.
Until then, you can get Peoples Donuts at Mama Buzz, Peaberry’s, and a variety of other cafes and restaurants around town. Check the Web site for current locations and flavors.
Becks said,
March 12, 2008 at 5:24 am
When I went to Herbivore last month, I finally tried these and they were delicious. My parents were with me, visiting from LA, and we finished every last bite.
Glad to know they’re made here in Oakland.