The Catholic Church played a leading role in the early history of the pretzel. In the seventh century, the church dictated stricter rules governing fasting and abstinence during Lent than it does today. Pretzels, made of a simple mixture of water, flour and salt, were an ideal food to consume during Lent, when all types of meat, dairy and eggs were prohibited.
The first pretzels were baked as a soft, squishy bread, like the soft pretzels of today. Some say they were originally called “bracellae,” the Latin term for “little arms,” from which Germans later derived the word “bretzel.” According to others, the earliest pretzels were dubbed “pretiolas,” meaning “little rewards,” and handed out by the monks when their young pupils recited their prayers correctly. Whatever they may have been called, the popularity of these twisty treats spread across Europe during the Middle Ages. Seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, pretzels were also commonly distributed to the poor, as a way of providing them with both spiritual and literal sustenance.
Pretzels—or those who made them—took a particularly dramatic turn in the spotlight in 1510, when Ottoman Turks attempted to invade Vienna, Austria, by digging tunnels underneath the city’s walls. Monks baking pretzels in the basem*nt of a monastery heard the enemy’s progress and alerted the rest of the city, then helped defeat the Turkish attack. As a reward, the Austrian emperor gave the pretzel bakers their own coat of arms.
By the 17th century, the interlocking loops of the pretzel had come to symbolize undying love as well. Pretzel legend has it that in 1614 in Switzerland, royal couples used a pretzel in their wedding ceremonies (similar to how a wishbone might be used today) to seal the bond of matrimony, and that this custom may have been the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.” In Germany—the country and people most associated with the pretzel throughout history—17th-century children wore pretzel necklaces on New Year’s to symbolize good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
When did pretzels make their way to America? One rumor has it that the doughy knots came over on the Mayflower, and were used by the Pilgrims for trade with the Native Americans they met in the New World. German immigrants certainly brought pretzels with them when they began settling in Pennsylvania around 1710. In 1861, Julius Sturgis founded one of the first commercial pretzel bakeries in the town of Lititz in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Sturgis also claimed credit for developing the first hard pretzels—or at least, for being the first to intentionally bake hard pretzels (rather than leave the soft ones in the oven too long by accident). The crispy snacks lasted longer in an airtight container, allowing them to be sold further away from the bakery itself and to stay on shelves longer. Eventually, hard pretzels would come to be arguably even more popular than their soft counterparts.
Until the 1930s, pretzels were still manufactured by hand. But in 1935, the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company introduced the first automated pretzel maker, which enabled bakers to put out some 245 pretzels per minute, compared with the 40 per minute an individual worker could make by hand. Today, Pennsylvania remains the American pretzel-making capital, as a full 80 percent of U.S.-made pretzels come from the Keystone State.
FAQs
Some say they were originally called “bracellae,” the Latin term for “l*ttle arms,” from which Germans later derived the word “bretzel.” According to others, the earliest pretzels were dubbed “pretiolas,” meaning “l*ttle rewards,” and handed out by the monks when their young pupils recited their prayers correctly.
What is the story of the pretzel twist? ›
Although the exact invention of pretzels remains a mystery, one popular story says that in 610 A.D. an Italian monk shaped long pieces of leftover dough in the form of children's arms folded across their chests in prayer. He baked the treats and gave them to children who learned their bible verses.
What is the historical significance of the pretzel? ›
During the 16th century, pretzels were often given as rewards to children who learned their prayers, further strengthening the connection between pretzels and religious customs. The pretzel's shape was also associated with a range of symbolic meanings, including arms folded in prayer or a child's posture of humility.
What is the story behind the German pretzel? ›
The first recorded mention of pretzels in Germany dates back to the 12th century, when they were sold by monks in the region of Bad Urach. From there, pretzels quickly spread throughout Germany, becoming a staple food in many regions of the country.
What is the religious meaning of the pretzel? ›
Christian Roots
They believe the pretzel shape represents the holy trinity, the three holes representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Soft pretzels using a simple recipe of only flour, water, and salt were used during Lent when Christians were not permitted to eat eggs, lard, or any dairy products.
What is the legend of the pretzel? ›
Pretzel legend has it that in 1614 in Switzerland, royal couples used a pretzel in their wedding ceremonies (similar to how a wishbone might be used today) to seal the bond of matrimony, and that this custom may have been the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.” In Germany—the country and people most associated with ...
What is the shape twist of the pretzel supposed to represent? ›
The Catholic Church claims that a monk in Northern Italy created pretzels by using left-over dough that was originally made for Lent. He created the signature pretzel shape because it was meant to symbolize a child praying with his arms folded across his chest.
What do pretzels have to do with Christians? ›
Pretzels are also strongly associated with Lent, as they do not contain eggs or dairy and are thus ideal for fasting. It started popping up in medieval art as a lucky symbol, most famously in Herrad of Landsberg's encyclopedia Hortus Deliciarum.
What does pretzel stand for? ›
As time passed, pretzels became associated with both Lent and Easter. Pretzels were hidden on Easter morning just as eggs are hidden today, and are particularly associated with Lent, fasting and prayers before Easter.
Does pretzel have two moms? ›
And we love that @officialblueytv is leading the way! “Chihuahua Pretzel is revealed to have two lesbian mums. The delivery of this information might be fleeting, but still groundbreaking.
They came to be seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. The three holes in the traditional pretzel shape have also taken on religious meaning over the years. These are sometimes seen as being representative of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
What is the symbol of the pretzel? ›
Originally during the middle ages, monks frequently donated pretzels to the poor. This led to the pretzel not only being a religious symbol, but also one that represented good fortune and sustenance. This symbol of fortune would continue on through time, especially around Europe.
What state eats the most pretzels? ›
Over time, the pretzel became a staple and an integral part of Pennsylvania's culture and economy. The state is now known as the pretzel capital of the world, with Pennsylvanians consuming a whopping 12 times more pretzels than the national average.
Why do people eat pretzels with alcohol? ›
The saltiness of pretzels had folk reaching for a drink to rehydrate their dry mouth (salt is known to absorb water) after enjoying pretzels. In Germany, beer was an extremely common drink so it became the preferred pairing among punters. So, yes, they are a good match for the palate.
Do Jews eat pretzels? ›
Pretzels – this bread twisted into a knot hails from Germany's Jewish population. These can be eaten as snacks and come in hard and soft variants as well as in different flavours – salted pretzels, cheese pretzels, chocolate-covered pretzels, etc. are a few.
How does a pretzel remind us of the Trinity? ›
Invented by monks, pretzels carry deep, religious meanings. The folded strips of dough resemble the folded arms of someone who is praying in the usual manner in those days, while the three holes represent the Christian Holy Trinity.
What is the story of the dog in pretzel? ›
He grew to be the longest dachshund in the world, earning a blue ribbon at a dog show. Pretzel was so long that he could in fact twist his body into the shape of his namesake. His length and physical prowess drew attention and praise from humans and dogs alike, save for one female dachshund named Greta.
What is the meaning behind the interlocking loops of the pretzel? ›
In the 17th century, the pretzel's interlocking loops also came to symbolize undying love. Some couples even grasped the ends of the pretzel and unraveled it during wedding ceremonies — one possible origin of the phrase “tying the knot."
What is the story of the pretzel prayer? ›
A story goes that in the Middle Ages, a breadmaking monk first twisted leftover dough into pretzel shapes to represent children's arms crossed in prayer. I heard this on the TV show Unwrapped, and it's also shared by Food & Wine magazine.
What is the story behind the New Year's pretzels? ›
There are many stories about the origin of this German tradition, but there is a common thought that the pretzel itself is fashioned after the way in which German Monks prayed with their arms crossed in front of their chests.
