Bitter Donut Flavors Reign Supreme On Dunkin' Thailand's Menu

When it comes to flavor profiles, there could be an evolutionary reason most people prefer sweet flavors to bitter ones. According to the National Library of Medicine, the dislike of bitter flavors may have stemmed from the ingestion of poisonous plants, which often have an unpalatable taste that serves as a warning. On the other hand, sweet flavors are associated with things like fruit, which offer essential vitamins and nutrients. Despite these supposed effects, bitter and sweet flavors are physically linked, as both play on the same receptor cells in the taste buds. Additionally, many people genuinely enjoy bitter flavors, whether drinking a cup of coffee or enjoying a salad consisting of dark, leafy greens like kale.

Regardless of the joy that bitterness brings, it's not a flavor that many people associate with sweets and pastries. Just consider the most popular donut flavors offered at Dunkin' locations in America, which includes glazed, blueberry cake, and chocolate frosted, among others. These sweet treats are about as far from bitter as a person can get, but they're definitely not the only donut flavors available. In fact, Dunkin' locations in Thailand offer a variety of delicious treats that feature more complex flavor profiles than just super sweet.

When it comes to Thai cuisine, bold flavorings are imparted thanks to spices like turmeric, coriander, basil, and chili powder, which offer heat and complexity to beloved Thai recipes, such as tom yum soup and massaman chicken curry. Flavor complexity is also on full display at Dunkin' locations throughout the country, particularly when it comes to chocolate flavors. Four donuts at Dunkin's Thailand locations, including Choco Zebra, Black Bitter, Soft Rocky Cookie, and Black Sprinkle, use dark chocolate as a counterpoint to the sweetness of the baked goods.

Dark chocolate and the foods that feature it get their distinct flavor profiles from cocoa solids. While it depends on the specific brand and preparation, the cocoa solid content of dark chocolate ranges from 35% to 100%, and higher percentages mean a more bitter taste. Milk chocolate has less than 35% cocoa solids thanks to the addition of milk solids, cream, and sugar, which is why it has a sweeter flavor profile. Of course, Dunkin' Thailand isn't the only country to offer surprising donut flavors, as there's a whole world of ingredients out there just waiting to be sampled. 

Flavor preferences vary quite a bit from country to country, as illustrated by the wide selection of donuts at Dunkin' locations from around the world. While chocolate and cheese are not an expected flavor pairing in the U.S., except for fans of the 90s alternative-rock band Ween, it is a selection at Dunkin' Indonesia. In addition to the relatively normal combination of chocolate frosting and vanilla cream, the treat also features shredded bits of Parmesan cheese. Even more surprising is a donut on sale at Dunkin' China. In this case, prepare your taste buds for the combination of seaweed sprinkles and dehydrated pork atop a sweet donut. For fans of Munchkins, the donut's bite-sized cousin, you can choose from pizza, roast, and spicy flavors at Dunkin' locations throughout China. 

In Peru, the Dunkin' selection is a little more in line with American taste sensibilities, albeit with a flavorful twist. Dunkin' Peru offers a custard-filled donut featuring caramel, chocolate icing, and pecans. However, the real star is the pistachio icing and rainbow sprinkles that cover the donut, which elevates the treat to a whole new level where taste is concerned. With so many flavor options from around the world, it's a real shame there's not a donut exchange program that allows Americans to sample all the delicious varieties.