NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY
"National Pretzel Day is observed annually on April 26. 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 AD, “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 Job Berckheyde’s (1681) painting.
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 were very popular in areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago and New York.
- Today, the average Philadelphian consumes about twelve times as many pretzels as the national average.
- Pennsylvania is the center of American pretzel production for both hard and soft pretzels, producing 80% of the nation’s pretzels.
- The annual United States pretzel industry is worth over $550 million.
- The average American consumes about 1.5 pounds of pretzels per year.
- Philadelphia opened a privately run “Pretzel Museum” in 1993.
- Hard pretzels originated in the United States in 1850." (From the site)
I mostly eat hard pretzels, though I do enjoy an occasional soft pretzel. Happy Pretzel Day!
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves pretzels. I'm not a big fan, although I do like a warm, soft pretzel without salt.
ReplyDeleteSeems there is a national day for everything. : )
ReplyDeleteI like all kinds of pretzels especially those nice big soft ones.
I like pretzels no matter what form they come in. This is a celebration I can really get behind :) Thanks for the info, John. It's interesting to read the history behind everyday things.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Didn't know there was such a day..
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this day existed!
ReplyDeleteLovely information on your post John, thanks.
All the best Jan
I'm a fan of every pretzel! I started making my own soft pretzels a few years ago and they taste great dipped in yellow mustard! :)
ReplyDeleteher we find it in little different shape
ReplyDeletesalty and tasty ,when i was young i liked to have it with evening tea
interesting post!