Have you ever wondered why pretzels have a twist or a knot? The two ends or arms could’ve been joined to make an oval or donut biscuit. But this wasn’t to be. The pretzel was purposed to be a provision for a particular palate with a prayerful design.
The twist is no accident.
Pretzels are made and sold worldwide. What red-blooded American doesn’t like pretzels? Soft or hard, the twisted biscuit is delicioso! Delizioso! Délicieux! That’s delicious in Spanish, Italian, and French.
There are several colorful and interesting stories about the origin of the pretzel. They are all appealing but unverified. This post will include one of these intriguing stories.
We’ve heard about the Easter bunnies and Easter eggs. But have you heard about the “before Easter” pretzels?
Some stories say that pretzels originated in Europe eons before Christ’s birth. Most of these accounts have a Christian twist. These accounts credit European monks with the creation of pretzels. The Catholic Church also has a rich commentary and tradition relative to the pretzel. And the tradition remains vibrant and popular today.
Catholics believe that the pretzel has religious relevance. And their oral historical stories about the pretzel were passed down for centuries. Catholics boast that the pretzel is an official food of Lent. The bread fulfills the fasting and abstinence requirements.
The enchanting story reveals that an Italian monk created the recipe and design of the pretzel in 610 AD in Italy. The monk prepared the bread as a Lenten meal of water, flour, and salt. Forming the dough strips, he crisscrossed the ends.
Why did he do this?
He did it to imitate the prayer position. Some say the finished shape resembled a child with arms crossed in prayer. The monk gave the baked goodies to children who had memorized their prayers. And the pretzels were called pretiolas or “little rewards.”
Other stories make no mention of a child-like shape. But mention that the arms of the dough were twisted to signify prayer. Some say the dough was twisted to remind other monks that Lent was a time of prayer.
Does the twist make you think about prayer or the prayer position?
Lent and prayer go hand-in-hand.
The odd-shaped, baked bread was soft and squishy inside and crisp on the outside. This was the first soft pretzel.
Who knew that the pretzel is associated with one of the holiest holiday seasons, Easter?
Eating pretzels are okay anytime. But they are special during Lent.
Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to the end of Holy Saturday. This is a time of penance, fasting, and praying to imitate Jesus’ fasting 40 days and 40 nights.
Today, as it was in 610 AD, eating meat, meat by-products, eggs, fat, or milk during Lent are prohibited. The twisted bread was also called bracella. The Latin word for “little arms.” From bracella, the Germans came up with the word bretzel. Then brezel eventually became pretzel.
Today, many Catholic families make pretzels during Lent to teach youngsters about prayer, penance, fasting, and abstinence.
Like Easter eggs and bunnies, the significance of the pretzel is another tradition of faith.