If you’ve ever walked into a farmers market in Pennsylvania, whether it’s Central Market in York or Lancaster’s central market, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by the smell of one thing: pretzels! It’s no secret that America loves pretzels; in fact the average American eats about two pounds worth every year, so it’s no surprise that we dedicate October every year to our love of pretzels! Pennsylvania is unique in that pretzels are a staple of its culinary history, and present as it accounts for 80% of America’s pretzels! But how did we come into this pretzel pageantry?
The history of the pretzel is very interesting because it originated as a “Holy Treat” and was used heavily by the Catholic Church throughout the middle ages. Back in 610 A.D Italian monks used the bread to reward students for memorizing prayers! Although the taste was the same it wasn’t until the middle ages in Germany where the traditional 3 hole pretzel design was created and was used throughout the church symbolizing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. With the religious significance tied to it the church gave the pretzels out as charity for physical and spiritual substance. Throughout the years the food became associated in Europe with good luck, long life, and prosperity. This was so popular that people would use them in wedding ceremonies, coining the phrase “tying the knot”!
Eventually Pretzels were brought across the Atlantic and into Pennsylvania by German immigrants around 1710. The tradition continued to grow in America as it was easy to make during tough winters. Due to their short shelf life pretzels couldn’t be sold very far from the bakery until 1861, when a young man named Julius Sturgis founded the first commercial bakery in Lititz PA. Sturgis managed to create the “hard pretzel” which lasted longer in an air tight container allowing them to be sold throughout the country and for the first time American pretzels were able to leave Pennsylvania and spread throughout the country. Sturgis isn’t the only hard pretzel maker from Pennsylvania; Snyder’s is a brand from Hanover, PA that perfected commercial pretzel production in 1924 and continue to produce through today! |
If New York has bagels, and Illinois has deep dish pizza; Pennsylvania has soft pretzels. In Pennsylvania, pretzels are a staple to our diet rather than a just an occasional snack; the national average for pretzel consumption is 2 pounds per person, in Philly and surrounding areas it is roughly 12 pounds of pretzel per person over the course of a year!! Given Philadelphia’s brotherly love for soft pretzels, brands have spawned from this love and capitalized on it, like the “Philly Pretzel Factory”. This brand opened its doors in 1998 and in 17 short years has grown to 160 locations. This number doesn’t include the countless Wawa convenience stores they supply. From this love, our area as well has produced just as many pretzel empires. The most recognizable is Auntie Anne’s. This Lancaster based company started back in 1988 and has grown from a one stand and trailer company to over 1600 locations worldwide with over 200 locations in Pennsylvania alone and is selling new franchises by the day.
While what Annie Anne’s has done is impressive they’re not the only locals making dough! Most smaller vendors never gain the momentum to grow past a few separate stands, but that is not the case with Foltz’s pretzels while they are still a small company, the father and son duo are unmatched and operating 7 permanent locations with an 8th mobile pretzel lab available for events. While they’re only just now selling franchises they are among hundreds of other pretzel vendors trying to strike it big in the industry.
From monks in 600 A.D. to the vendors in our states markets the pretzel has had a twisted history. So, in honor of national pretzel month the next time you see a stand, indulge yourself and partake in one of our states greatest culinary staple. Viva la Pretzelvania!
From monks in 600 A.D. to the vendors in our states markets the pretzel has had a twisted history. So, in honor of national pretzel month the next time you see a stand, indulge yourself and partake in one of our states greatest culinary staple. Viva la Pretzelvania!