Do The Twist; The Pretzel Twist!

Summary

The video delves into the history and cultural significance of pretzels, highlighting Philadelphia's rich tradition. Starting with the founding of Philly Pretzel Factory in 1998, it explores the city’s love for pretzels, where residents consume 20 lbs annually. The origins of soft pretzels trace back 1,400 years to monks who crafted them as a symbol of prayer. The script also touches on the evolution of pretzel-making in America, including the invention of the hard pretzel and the continued tradition of hand-twisting pretzels by skilled bakers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philly Pretzel Factory was founded in 1998 by Dan Dio and his college roommate Len Leman.
• 😀 While the average American eats 2 lbs of pretzels per year, Philadelphians consume 20 lbs annually.
• 😀 The company now operates 120 locations across nine states, producing approximately 125 million pretzels each year.
• 😀 Soft Bavarian pretzels were brought to the U.S. by German immigrants, and the hard pretzel was created in the small town of Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 1861.
• 😀 Julius Sturis, the inventor of the hard pretzel, created a way to make soft pretzels that lasted longer, allowing people to keep them at home and sell them more easily.
• 😀 Pretzels have been around for over 1,400 years and were first made by monks to represent the shape of children’s prayer positions.
• 😀 The word 'pretzel' comes from the Latin 'pretiola,' meaning 'little reward,' reflecting the monks' original intent.
• 😀 Bruce Sturis, great-great-grandson of Julius Sturis, and his family still mass-produce pretzels, making 4 million lbs annually.
• 😀 At Sturis' factory, pretzels are tested by listening to how they break, a tradition that requires expertise passed down over time.
• 😀 Martin's Bakery, run by Mennonites, hand twists their hard pretzels, with workers expected to twist up to 10 pretzels per minute.

Q & A

When was the Philly Pretzel Factory opened?

The Philly Pretzel Factory was opened in 1998 by Dan Dio and his college roommate Len Leman.

What is the average annual pretzel consumption in Philadelphia compared to the national average?

Philadelphians consume an average of 20 lbs of pretzels annually, whereas the average American consumes only 2 lbs per year.

How many locations does the Philly Pretzel Factory have now?

The Philly Pretzel Factory now has 120 locations across nine states.

How many pretzels does the Philly Pretzel Factory produce each year?

The company produces about 125 million pretzels each year.

What historical connection do pretzels have with German immigrants?

German immigrants, particularly the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought soft Bavarian pretzels to the U.S., but it was American ingenuity that led to the creation of the hard pretzel.

Who is Julia Sturis, and what was his contribution to the pretzel industry?

Julia Sturis was an innovator who, in 1861, created a way to make soft pretzels that would last much longer, allowing them to be stored in homes and sold more widely.

What is the historical origin of the pretzel shape?

The pretzel shape dates back to 1,400 years ago when monks created them to symbolize the way children should pray, with arms crossed to resemble the pretzel.

What does the word 'prola' mean, and how does it relate to pretzels?

'Prola' is Latin for 'little reward,' which the monks used to describe the pretzel shape, symbolizing a child’s reward for good behavior in prayer.

How many pounds of pretzels does Bruce Sturis' company produce annually?

Bruce Sturis' company produces about 4 million pounds of pretzels each year.

How are pretzels still tested for quality in traditional bakeries?

Pretzels are tested by breaking them and listening to the sound they make, which helps bakers determine if they are properly baked.