Pretzels were invented as early as 610 A.D. by monks somewhere in Southern France or Northern Italy, and use to call it a Pretiola (meaning little reward). Pretzel baking has most firmly taken root in southern Germany and adjoining German-speaking areas, and pretzels have been an integral part of German baking traditions for centuries.
A pretzel is a baked dough in soft and hard varieties and savoury or sweet flavours in a unique knot-like shape, called a pretzel loop. For seasoning and decoration various glazes, salt crystals, sugar and various seeds or nuts can be used. It may be found in different sizes.
