Today, April 26, 2014, is National Pretzel Day. A pretzel is a type of baked bread product made from dough most commonly found in a unique knot-like shape, The story is that an Italian monk invented pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He called the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, 'pretiola' ("little rewards"). The pretzel has been in use as an emblem of bakers and formerly their guilds in southern German areas since at least the 12th century. Pennsylvania is the center of American pretzel production for both the hard crispy and the soft bread types of pretzels.
