Not all bagels are the same, and the way they are cooked plays a big role in how they taste and feel. If you have ever had bagels and lox that seemed a bit too soft or did not hold their shape under toppings, the cooking method might be why. 

When locals in Las Vegas think about grabbing a real bagel, they are looking for that specific chew, that shiny crust, and a flavor that brings a sense of familiarity.

What gives a real New York-style bagel its signature chew? The answer lies in a crucial step most people don’t even think about: boiling before baking. Dive into the tradition, technique, and flavor science behind why we boil every bagel we make at Abel’s — and how that one step makes all the difference.

Many wonder, "Why Boil Bagels?"