The History & Introduction of Pretzels

There are quite a few different stories as to when the first Pretzels were made. One story dates back to 610 A.D. An Italian Monk wished to reward children for saying their prayers, and he did this by the use of dough folded to look like arms crossing a persons chest. The Monk called these baked dough treats Pretiola, which means little reward.

Another theory stems from the time when Eberhard I, Duke of Württemberg reigned. His story goes that a baker from Urach was asked to make bread that could be seen through when the sun shined on it. If he could make such bread then he would be forgiven for his crime of larceny. He was said to have been inspired by the way his worried wife would cross her arms. He worked the dough into a Pretzel shape before baking it.

A painting called "The fight between Carnival and Lent" has Pretzels depicted within the artwork. The artist was Pieter Bruegel, he painted this piece in 1559. Also during the 1500's Vienna was under siege by Ottoman Turks. The Turks tunneled underground, but the guards were alerted when suspicious Pretzel bakers heard the noise of their digging. Pretzel bakers were awarded "The Coat of Arms" from the Emperor as a reward for their efforts in saving the city.

Traditionally the bride and groom at their wedding would each tug on an end of a Pretzel, using it like a wishbone. Whomever got the largest piece had their wish come true. This is where the saying "Tying the Knot" comes from originally. The Pretzel was also used at Easter, it would have been hidden with Easter eggs to be found in the Easter egg hunt.

Until the 17th Century Pretzels were of a soft consistency. One day a Pennsylvanian baker was baking Pretzels on a fire when he left them baking for too long. The Master Baker was angry that a whole batch of Pretzels had been ruined, and decided to throw them out. However, in the process of disposing of the over cooked Pretzels he tasted one. The Master Baker liked the taste and realized there would be a market for these hard Pretzels.

It wasn't until the 1800's when Pretzels were first brought from Europe to America. Some people believe they brought over on the Mayflower, and given to the Indians. The first Pretzel making bakery started off in Lititz ,in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Julius Sturgis first established the bakery in 1861. Machine manufactured Pretzels were first shaped by using a cracker shaping machine. In 1935 the automatic Pretzel twisting machine was introduced by the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company.