The Pretzel Tradition: Germany vs. America (2024)

FAQs

The Pretzel Tradition: Germany vs. America? ›

The main difference to note between the more “American-style” pretzels and German pretzels is an ingredient called lye. Put simply, it's a “bath” pretzels soak in before the cooking is completed. Baking soda can be a substitute, however lye is the more “traditional” method.

Unlike their American counterpart, Bavarian pretzels pack a denser, chewier inside and a darker, crispier outside. And there's a certain "tang" to the Bavarian-style pretzel that sets it apart from other soft pretzels. But best of all, it doesn't need to be dipped in cheese or drenched in butter to taste delicious!

In southern Germany and adjoining German-speaking areas, pretzels have retained their original religious meanings and are still used in various traditions and festivals. In some areas, on 1 January, people give each other lightly sweetened yeast pretzels for good luck and good fortune.

The popular toppings of authentic bavarian pretzels are:

Sesame, poppy, sunflower, pumpkin or caraway seeds, cheese sauce and bacon bits. Bavarians especially enjoy their pretzels in the late morning with Weißwürst, sweet mustard, and a Beer.

An Italian monk teaching children in Northern Italy is said to have invented soft little pretzels and called them pretiola or little rewards, to reward children for learning their prayers. He is said to have made the treats with little arms forming the 'knot', to resemble little arms crossed of children in prayer.

The breaking of a"Good-Luck" New Year's Pretzel (Grosse Neujahrsbrezel) is a long time German tradition, thought to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year when eaten at midnight or by breakfast on New Year's Day.

You may pick up on how the taste is different, as German soft pretzels are known for containing a thicker, denser, and chewier inside while having a slightly crispier outside. The main difference to note between the more “American-style” pretzels and German pretzels is an ingredient called lye.

Over time, the pretzel became a staple and an integral part of Pennsylvania's culture and economy. The state is now known as the pretzel capital of the world, with Pennsylvanians consuming a whopping 12 times more pretzels than the national average.

They are often eaten as a snack and are typically salted for added flavor. Hard pretzels are also a popular accompaniment to beer in Germany, and are often served in beer gardens and at Oktoberfest celebrations.

Although there are a lot of classic Oktoberfest eats, especially in Munich during Oktoberfest, from schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) to spätzle (cheesy pasta) to steckerlfisch (fish roasted on a stick), here at home, few things go better with German beer than lye pretzels.

What is the spiritual meaning of the pretzel? ›

They came to be seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. The three holes in the traditional pretzel shape have also taken on religious meaning over the years. These are sometimes seen as being representative of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

According to her, spreading mustard on pretzels-which is the way Philadelphians eat them-started in the 1920s with the selling of pretzels from hot dog carts.

In Bavaria's world-famous beer gardens, pretzels are also enjoyed with obatzda, a strong, cheesy dip made with butter, hot paprika, and Camembert. Frankfurt is home to a milder, creamier version known as schneegestöber, also enjoyed with pretzels and glasses of sour flat apple cider named apfelwein.

Finally, and most importantly, German-style pretzels, are dipped in a lye solution, while American soft pretzels usually rely on an easier baking soda dip. Both baking soda and lye are alkaline solutions that caramelize and create the signature bitter crust on pretzels.

Whatever they may have been called, the popularity of these twisty treats spread across Europe during the Middle Ages. Seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, pretzels were also commonly distributed to the poor, as a way of providing them with both spiritual and literal sustenance.

The pretzel was invented by European monks in the early Middle Ages, possibly in the 6th or 7th century. The monks used the pretzel's distinctive knot shape to represent the Holy Trinity, with the three holes in the pretzel symbolizing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Pretzels are also strongly associated with Lent, as they do not contain eggs or dairy and are thus ideal for fasting. It started popping up in medieval art as a lucky symbol, most famously in Herrad of Landsberg's encyclopedia Hortus Deliciarum.

Differences between American and Bavarian pretzels

German pretzels have thick, bulbous, and doughy borders with thinner, crunchier crossed arms in the middle of some varieties. Many Bavarian pretzel recipes cut the bottom of the pretzel lengthwise before baking it to achieve a fat underbelly with an exposed crumb.

An old, but still very popular New Year's Eve custom in Germany is that of casting lead –something a lot of people do after midnight. Each person melts a small piece of lead or tin over a candle in a small pan or a spoon.

Drink a glass of 'Sekt' at midnight

Clinking glasses might not be as loud as fireworks; filled with champagne or "Sekt" (German sparkling wine), they can definitely help people get in good spirits.

What country makes the best pretzels? ›

In the world of German food, nothing is as iconic as the German pretzel. Discover how good a German bakery can make a pretzel and the surprising location of Germany's best pretzel.

Soft pretzels, or "brezen" in German, are the most popular type of pretzel in Germany. They are typically larger than other types of pretzels and have a soft, chewy texture. Soft pretzels are often eaten as a snack or as a light meal, and are typically accompanied by sweet mustard or obatzda, a Bavarian cheese spread.

Unless they've been made with a whole grain flour such as rye, most pretzels are not very nutrient-dense, meaning they don't contain many beneficial nutrients relative to their calorie content. That's because most pretzels are made from refined wheat flour, also called white flour.

There are two main types of pretzels, and each has a distinctive texture. There is the soft pretzel, often called the authentic pretzel, as it was the version brought here in the first place. Then there is the hard pretzel, which was originally made in 1850 in Pennsylvania.