Statistics show that the average American enjoys one to two pounds of pretzels every year. They’re cholesterol-free, low in fat and taste great, but sometimes they’re criticized for their sodium content. Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells from Unique Pretzel Bakery are a new way to make sure your family is getting healthy pretzels and the very best nutrition.

Unique Pretzel Bakery, a family-owned business for six generations, has been making pretzels in Reading, PA, since the late 1890s. We are most well-known for our Unique Pretzels “Splits”, a split-open pretzel that packs a serious crunch! They were invented by accident when the pretzel dough was left to set too long and split open during baking.

Healthy Pretzels

Our newest pretzel on the block is made with a revolutionary new sprouted flour from Essential Eating® Sprouted Foods. We call them Unique Pretzels Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells, and they are the only 100% Whole Grain Sprouted Flour pretzels in the industry. They are also the only pretzel made with olive oil, the only ones to naturally provide 4 grams of fiber per serving, and the only pretzel with over 35% whole grains that doesn’t use any sugar or malt additives.

Our sprouted grain pretzels are made with a wheat flour that digests like a vegetable. When whole grains are sprouted (germinated), they are converted into a living food with more vital nutrients. And those nutrients are now in a form that the body can more easily absorb. They are kosher certified, USDA Certified organic, vegan, diabetic-friendly, and designed to help you add more wholesome whole grains to your diet.

Unlike un-sprouted grains that have been processed, bleached and refined, thereby removing virtually all of their health benefits, sprouted grains retain all of the grain’s natural nutrients and increases vitamin A, vitamin C and important B vitamins.

Fascinating History of Pretzels

In the United States, pretzels were popularized right here in Pennsylvania, and about 80% of the country’s crunchy twisted treats are still made here. But where did they come from? Who invented them?

Pretzels have a long history and may actually be the world’s oldest snack food, but there is plenty of disagreement about their origins. Some say they were invented in the 7th Century by an Italian monk who shaped long pieces of leftover dough to look like the crossed arms of a person in prayer and three holes to represent the Christian Trinity.  He reportedly gave them to children as a reward for learning their prayers.

Pretzels were popular in Europe for centuries and became the emblem of bakers in southern Germany in about the 12th century. Even today, they can be seen above the doors of many bakeries, often on shields alongside lions or crowns.

The European recipe for soft pretzels may have come to America on the Mayflower or with the Pennsylvania Dutch, who called them “bretzels,” during the 17th and 18th centuries. But hard pretzels are a purely Pennsylvanian invention. Legend has it that an apprentice in a Pennsylvania bakery fell asleep while baking a batch of pretzels. The moisture in the dough completely evaporated, leaving behind the crunchy treats. Not only were they tasty, but they would last longer on store shelves.

Lititz, in Lancaster County, PA, is home to America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Factory, which started in about 1850. Soon enough, pretzel factories were popping up all over Pennsylvania.

But it’s Reading, PA, the home of Unique Pretzel Bakery, which holds the title of Pretzel Capital of the World. An automatic pretzel twisting machine was invented here in 1933, revolutionized the process and enabled bakers to make far more pretzels than they could make by hand.

Why not celebrate the healthy pretzels that are Pennsylvania’s treasure? Order Unique Pretzels Sprouted “Splits”, Sprouted Shells, or another variety from our online store or look for them on the shelves of your local Wegmans, Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Giant stores.