pretzels

[Stephanie Brennan]

Has anyone researched pretzels? I was curious as I had read a secondary source about pretzels in taverns and then saw them being portrayed in a historic tavern setting.  A quick google look tells me they have been around for a long time in the traditional shape of three holes.  Sturger's ( sp?)in PA has been baking them since 1861. The soft pretzel came first then the hard crunchy ones. It seems either would be right for the 1860's period.    Stephanie

[hanktrent]

Here's the only period pretzel recipe I could find in a quick search:

http://books.google.com/books?id=WiIEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA156&dq=pretzels+flour+date:0-1865&lr=&output=html

A search for "pretzels" alone in google books gives some sense of when they were eaten; can't tell how German they still were or whether they'd spread widely into the mainstream. Here's an example of a German context. Edited to clarify: By German context, I mean served with other foods that were spreading to the mainstream but still had a recognizable German origin in context, like lager beer and sauerkraut.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Stephanie Brennan]

I found some more hits in google books for pretzels. In the last 50 years before 1900, more hits show up in the 1870-1890 range, with places like New York, St. Louis, and Chicago being mentioned. The earlier hits from 1850-1860 are all in the context of Germans with beer, kraut, and pretzel.  A 1892  engraving shows boy peddlers with pretzels on long poles. If this could be documented to the 1860 period that would be a fun impression.  Anything German works for me.     Stephanie

[shawnra]

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu20/calico_outlaw/Original%20Pics/pretzelpic.jpg

I dont remember where I picked this picture up from, but I dont think it had any info to go with it.

[Stephanie Brennan]

http://books.google.com/books?id=qu4VAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA166&dq=pretzels+intitle:the+intitle:guardian&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1861&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=1862&as_brr=0&output=html

Excellent picture --The Guardian talks about how pretzels with cigars are now the thing instead of gingercakes with cigars. Shawnra's picture seems to prove that theory!!!   Thank You - Stephanie

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Try to get ahold of someone at the Ohio Historical Society or the Zoar village. They serve pretzels baked there. (delicious!) They may have some resources to suggest.

[GwendolynnPhillips]

Stephanie,
Sturgis still makes the hand made pretzels here in Lancaster.  Mom went to the factory and asked if it was the original recipe from 1861.  As of her inquiry about fifteen years ago, yes.  They have just invested in some newer ovens.  If you look closely, you can even see little finger prints baked into the surface.  There are several other local companies that make the traditional, hand made (HARD) pretzels, too.  Martin's are also good.  Snyder's are not the traditional hand tied ones, but rather a mechanized modern version with a very different texture (and not as good flavor).  Come to think of it, I've never seen what we in Lancaster call "real pretzels" outside of central PA.

BTW, for those searching for a truer, German context, you may want to use the search query 'Brezel or Brezeln', as that is the original German word.  Although German pretzels are generally softer (a very distant, much better tasting cousin to our modern soft pretzels) and, as Hank mentioned, are traditionally served with a hot meal or eaten for breakfast or supper with cheese, cold cuts, etc.

-Gwendolynn

[Carolann Schmitt]

Revonah (Hanover spelled backwards) also makes a traditional handmade hard pretzel. I believe the Gettysburg Pretzel Company does also.

Regards,
Carolann

[Paula]

Gwendolynn
You are so right about pretzels not being pretzels outside of central PA.  I grew up near Pottsville and spent my teenage years in Hershey.  Our bedtime snack was hard pretzels and chocolate milk instead of milk and cookies.  Now that I live on the other end of the country I don't even eat pretzels unless one of my aunts send some from home.     Yet another drawback to moving away from home.

[GwendolynnPhillips]

Paula,
Here you go!

http://www.juliussturgis.com/

You can keep yourself well-stocked and not feel guilty either.  Pretzels are a good snack! (mmmmm....especially with Ziegler's or Kauffmann's Cidar!)  They ship nationwide!

-Gwendolynn