If you are craving a crunchy, salty snack, today’s episode might be right up your alley. Today we are trying out different brands of pretzels! These are generally snacks that I tend to forget about, but when a delicious pretzel is found, they are pretty hard to say no to.
If you want to try these out along with us, I purchased them at HyVee and Target. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy the podcast!
Oh, and don’t forget to donate to Quest for the Best! No amount is too small, no amount is too large. This is a value-for-value podcast, so donate what you think is fair!
Which pretzels are we trying today?
Rold Gold Tiny Twists
Cravin’ Pretzel Braid
Snyder Mini Pretzel
Old Dutch Butter Spindles
Snyder Twisted Butter Sticks
Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists
Who is on this adventurous quest?
Randi, feeling twisted.
Nate, slightly lubed.
Matt, naturally garlicy.
Amy, feeling salty.
And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!
The History of Pretzels
The beginning of pretzels happened longer ago than you might think. In 610 A.D. an Italian monk invented the soft pretzel and called them pretiola or little rewards. He gave them to the children he was teaching as a reward for learning their prayers. The knot in the pretzel was supposed to resemble little arms crossed of children in prayer. This story was passed down over the centuries. Though the first recorded evidence of pretzels appeared in Southern Germany. As early as the 12th century, bakers used the pretzel shape in the emblem for their guild. Pretzels were a sign of good luck and spiritual wholeness.
But wait! The pretzel also has history in Christianity and the Catholic Church. Soft pretzels using a simple recipe of only flour, water, and salt were used during Lent when Christians were not permitted to eat eggs, lard, or any dairy products. Additionally, it became a tradition on Easter morning to hide pretzels for the children in a pretzel hunt.
But if you go back to Germany, this is where the pretzel really took shape, so to speak. The Germans were quick to make alterations to their dough, creating different flavors, adding poppy seeds and different spices. In the latter part of the 18th century, Swiss German immigrants introduced German baking traditions to the United States. The popularity spread. In 1850, Julius Sturgis, a Pennsylvanian baker got a recipe from a traveling homeless man for hard pretzels. They were a major hit at his bakery and by 1861 he opened the first commercial pretzel bakery. The popularity of these snacks can be attributed to the ability to store them for longer periods of time in an air tight environment. By the 20th century, hard pretzels were being baked and sold across the united states.
Today, Pennsylvania remains the biggest producer of these twisted snacks, with 80% of the 1.2 billion dollar industry in the United States. It is estimated that the average American eats two pounds of pretzels per year.
The Results
**SPOILER ALERT!**
Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!
6th/5th Place (Tie): Rold Gold Tiny Twists
Amy - 5
Matt- 6
Nate - 4
Randi - 3
6th/5th Place (Tie): Cravin’ Pretzel Braids
Amy - 4
Matt- 5
Nate - 5
Randi - 4
4th Place: Old Dutch Butter Spindles
Amy - 3
Matt- 6
Nate - 6
Randi - 6
3rd Place: Snyder Mini Pretzels
Amy - 6
Matt- 7
Nate - 5
Randi - 4
2nd Place: Snyder Twisted Butter Sticks
Amy - 6
Matt- 7
Nate - 7
Randi - 6
1st Place: Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists
Amy - 7
Matt- 7
Nate - 9
Randi - 7
There you have it. Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.
Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.
Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.
And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!
SHOW NOTES:
https://www.pretzels.com/blogs/news/the-complete-history-of-the-pretzel-a-twisted-tale
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/06/the-history-of-pretzels/
Pretzel Hunt