In today’s culture, crowded malls, noisy movie theaters, and bustling small-town fairs all sell many of the same culinary treats. These foods, known commonly all around the country, do not seem to have a clear origin. As a result, many assumptions, theories, and ancient tales have been made or told as to how these snacks came to be. One of these mystery food items, which we will learn about today, is the pretzel. Although its true origin is uncertain, here are some facts about the pretzel that may reveal a few details about its past:
The pretzel’s unique shape has a name! A ‘pretzel loop’ is a symmetrical loop made by intertwining the two ends of a long piece of dough and then folding this wrapped section over onto the rest of the dough.- One theory relating to the origin of the pretzel dates back to 610 A.D. when an Italian monk was said to have been giving rewards to children for learning their prayers. Called ‘pretiola’, which meant ‘little rewards’, these snacks were made from bread strips and fashioned into a knot that resembled a praying child.
- Most historians believe the origin of the pretzel has Christian roots.
- The pretzel had religious significance to the Catholic Church, since it was permitted to be eaten during Lent when it was made from only flour and water.
- Before Easter egg hunts, children would hunt for pretzels! This salty snack became associated with Lent and Easter, and soon pretzel hunts began.
- One of the first known accounts of pretzels being introduced into the U.S. was in the early 19th Century when Germans and Swedes immigrated into the country.
- In Tell City, Indiana, we find one of the first pretzel shops in America. This shop, run by Casper Gloor, created pretzels from a secret recipe, which the public still does not know today. Many tourists still flock to Tell City to taste their unique pretzels.
- It was not until 1850 that hard pretzels were invented! Before this date, most pretzels were soft and chewy, being made from simple bread flour.
- Today, the pretzel industry is worth a little over $550 million a year!
- Pennsylvania supplies 80% of the nation’s pretzels.
Now, the next time you eat a pretzel, you can supply many interesting facts to those eating with you!
Credits to:
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-did-the-pretzel-get-its-shape
