Pretzels have been a common food item in Europe for more than a thousand years. They are most often associated with Germany, where their image still serves as the emblemof the Bakers Guild. There is very little recorded history from the time when pretzels first appeared around 600 CE. However, it is generally agreed that they were probably invented by monks and perhaps given to children as treats. The folded arms of the pretzel might represent a person praying.
Another origin story suggests that the signature brown skin of the pretzel was invented by accident in the 19th century. A baker in Munich intended to brush his creations with sugar water, but the brush was stained with a cleaning solutionof sodium hydroxide. He didn’t want to waste the pretzels, so he baked them anyway and found that they had a unique flavor and texture.
The smaller, harder variety was invented in Pennsylvania. A baker’s apprenticeleft the pretzels in the oven a bit too long, but this also proved to be a happy accident. The crunchy pretzels were still very tasty, and they stayed fresh much longer than the original, softer variety.
