When I crave a bagel every few months, I know what I want: plain bagel, plain cream cheese.
Up until a few years ago, I was aware of only one way to slice bagels: One slice, right down the middle, dividing the bagel into top and bottom. Then I apply the cream cheese in little waves, just like my mom did it (she’s the best cream cheese spreader).
But then I learned that some St. Louis bagel shops use a differen slicing method: They cut bagels like a piece of bread. I think the logic is that you get more small bites, more cream cheese in each bite, and an equal division of top and bottom in every bite.
I’ve still never been to a place that offered this option, so recently I decided to try it myself. I genuinely like the cutting method itself–it feels like less of a risk for losing a finger.
As for the mouth-feel? I still prefer the traditional way of slicing the bagel in two halves. This is largely due to how the firmer edges of the crust slightly pinch as I bite into each slice.
That said, I’m open to trying again, as I love baguettes, and this is really similar to eating slices of a baguette (but with cream cheese). What do you think? Have you tried this zany method?
