Consider the humble pretzel. It’s a unique snack that’s associated with many different all-American pastimes, like attending a baseball game, going to the movies, or strolling around a county fair.
Your office can enjoy pretzels any time, but how about Monday, April 26th? That’s National Pretzel Day, established by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell in 2003 to honor the importance of the pretzel in the state’s history. But, the modest pretzel actually has a long and venerable history that includes European roots, religious beginnings, true love, and wartime heroism.
According to historians, the pretzel was invented way back in the Middle Ages, most likely by monks. The exact location of the monks is up for debate, some say Italy, others say France. In either case, the pretzels were often given as a reward to children when they recited their prayers correctly. Being made of a simple mixture of flour, salt, and water, pretzels were also the perfect thing for Lent, when meat, dairy, and eggs are off the menu.
Through the centuries, the meaning of the pretzel evolved. From being a symbol of good luck and spiritual fulfillment in the Middle Ages to a symbol of undying love (hence the saying “tying the knot”) in the 17th century, the pretzel carried a lot of weight for a humble snack food. It even played a notable role in the 1510 Austrian defeat of the Ottoman Turks. The Turks tried to invade Vienna by tunneling under the city walls, but their plan was ruined by monks who were baking pretzels in the monastery basement, heard the approaching army, and alerted the city in time to save the day. Way to go, pretzel bakers!
It wasn’t until the 19th century that the pretzel made it to North America. Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants (who actually came from German-speaking areas of Europe) brought the pretzel with them. Julius Sturgis established the country’s first commercial pretzel bakery in 1861, and the pretzel was off to the races.
Today, pretzels may not be making love matches or stopping invasions, but that hasn’t diminished their popularity at all. Pennsylvania is still the pretzel capital of the country, producing 80% of the nation’s pretzels. But people everywhere seem to love a good pretzel. In fact, the average American consumes approximately a pound-and-a-half of pretzels each year.
And pretzels come in so many varieties now. You can go with sweet (caramel, sugared, vanilla glaze) or savory (cheese, honey mustard, marinara). You can have them for breakfast or lunch or a special afternoon snack break. And if you really want to get crazy, you can try some modern interpretations like mozzarella pretzel bites and “pretzel dogs” (hot dogs wrapped in pretzel dough—yes, please!).
So, go ahead—bring a little fun to the office with pretzels delivered hot and fresh, right to your door. Here are some of our favorite pretzel partners:
Auntie Anne’s
It all started back in 1988 at a farmer’s market in Downingtown, PA. Anne Beiler and her husband sold a variety of snacks, including hand-rolled, soft pretzels. Today, Auntie Anne’s rolls more than 500,000 pretzels every two days, which is enough to feed a pretzel to every person living in Lancaster County, PA (home to Auntie Anne’s, Inc.).
Can’t decide on a pretzel? You can have it all with Auntie Anne’s sampler party tray, which is sure to please the masses. Enough to serve 10 people, this item features bite sized original, cinnamon sugar, and pepperoni pretzels as well as pretzel-wrapped hot dogs.
Philly Pretzel Factory
Craving a classic, salted soft pretzel baked to perfection? Look no further than Philly Pretzel Factory. With an ingredients list that you can count on one hand, the Philly Pretzel Factory produces fresh and high quality pretzels that are guaranteed to satisfy every palate, every time.
If you’re looking for a more filling choice, Philly Pretzel Factory offers a delectable tray of pretzel hot dogs that serves 10. For a lighter afternoon snack, perfect for a large office meeting, opt for a tray of “rivets,” which are bite-sized pretzels that serve 24.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Ben’s Soft Pretzels are made from an Amish-inspired recipe and baked fresh every day. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the classics, which is why we recommend trying the original pretzel party pack that serves 12. You can pair it with another fan favorite: Ben’s strawberry lemonade, which is the perfect thirst quencher and crowd-pleaser.
Can’t decide between sweet or salty? Ben’s offers a wide variety of sauces, ranging from garlic butter to vanilla ice cream. Select a couple of each, and you’ll be set to feed the masses.
Pretzelmaker
Since 1991, Pretzelmaker has been rolling out fresh-baked and handcrafted pretzels (with a twist). Its widely popular “pretzel bites” serve 15 and include the best of both worlds: classic and cheese options. And they pair perfectly with the pizza sauce or spicy nacho dips. Looking for a heartier option? Consider the pretzel dogs, which are sure to liven up any meeting or event. Just don’t forget mustard and ketchup.
Wetzel’s Pretzels
As a satisfied reviewer raved, Wetzel’s Pretzels are “always a crowd pleaser.” Offering classics like cinnamon and sugar, as well as more innovative selections such as the baked jalaroni pretzel that comes with cheese, jalapenõs and pepperoni, Wetzel’s Pretzels are the perfect selection for a meeting or event — and your group can wash down their satisfying snack with some freshly squeezed lemonade.
