A bag of nice crunchy, salty pretzels or a big, warm, soft, cinnamon pretzel is the question of the day. Either one is an excellent choice.
There are a few different accounts of the origin of the pretzel. Most people agree that it does have a Christian background, and they were developed by the monks.
According to The History of Science and Technology, in 610 A.D., “an Italian monk invents pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He calls the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, pretiola (little rewards).”
Another source puts the invention in a monastery in southern France. The looped pretzel may also be related to a Greek Ring bread from the communion bread used in monasteries a thousand years ago.
In the Catholic Church, pretzels had a religious significance for both ingredients and shape. The loops in pretzel may have served a practical purpose: bakers could hang them on sticks, projecting upwards from a central column, as shown in 17th century Dutch artist Job Berckheyde’s 1681 painting "The Baker".
The Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants introduced pretzels to North America in the 19th century. At this time, many handmade pretzel bakeries populated central Pennsylvania, and their popularity quickly spread.
It was in the 20th century that soft pretzels became very popular in areas such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York.
More Pretzel Facts
• A page in the prayer book used by Catharine of Cleves depicts St. Bartholomew surrounded by pretzels which were thought to bring good luck, prosperity and spiritual wholeness.- • In 1850, hard pretzels originated in the United States.
- • In 1859, a parade in New Orleans, Louisiana featured a float carrying a pretzel-baking machine.
- • In 1993, Philadelphia opened a privately run “Pretzel Museum”.
- • Pennsylvania is the center of American pretzel production for both hard and soft pretzels, producing eighty percent of the nation’s pretzels.
- • Pretzels without salt are called baldies.
- • Today, the average Philadelphian consumes about twelve times as many pretzels as the national average!
- • The annual United States pretzel industry is worth over $550 million!
- • The average American consumes about 1.5 pounds of pretzels per year.
- • An average pretzel has 3.5 grams of fat and 260 calories.
- German kids wear pretzels around their neck for good luck on New Year's. Pretzels even top some Christmas trees in Austria.
Enjoy some pretzels or even make your own. Try this soft pretzel recipe by visiting the website below to share.
Also, enjoy this yummy beer cheese dip from @HolidayFoodies on the side by visiting the website below as well.
Use #NationalPretzelDay to post on social media.
Sink your toes into a warm, toasty pair of socks for National Pretzel Day! National Day Calendar® has just what you’re looking for in their store.
You can browse or shop by visiting the website below:
HISTORY
In 2003, National Pretzel Day began when American lawyer, prosecutor, politician, author and then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared April 26 “National Pretzel Day”.
This was also to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state’s history and economy.
This was also to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state’s history and economy.
How do you like your pretzels?
#NationalPretzelDay
@HolidayFoodies
@auntieannespretzels
@PretzelCrisps
@PretzelCrisps
@UtzSnacks
@roldgold
@WorcesterArtMuseum
@independencehallassociation
@nichecinema
