Reading was once called the "world capital of the pretzel"; Here is where to find offers

Written by Reading Eagle

At one time, Reading produced one-third of all cooked pretzels in the United States, earning it the distinction of "world capital of the pretzel".

Although the Berks County pretzel industry may not be as important as it once was, there are still several pretzel companies in the Reading area that produce a variety of products, ranging from traditional pretzels hard and soft pretzel sticks, filled pretzels and pretzels covered with chocolate.

Although Reading may no longer be the city of pretzels, Pennsylvania remains the capital of America for pretzels, producing about 80% of the pretzels made in the United States.

In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said April 26, National Pretzel Day, recognizes the importance of the pretzel for the state's history and economy.

Here's a look at some local pretzel bakeries and where to find local offers on National Pretzel Day.

Do you really want to celebrate? The second annual West Reading Craft Beer and Pretzel Festival will be held on Penn Avenue on Saturday.

Pretzels Bachman, Inc.

Joseph S. Bachman founded in 1884 one of the largest regional snack food companies.
The first factory of the Bachman company was in Reading. At the time, it was a fairly simple pretzel bakery. Today & # 39; huiThe brand is owned by Utz Quality Foods Inc., Hanover, York County. Savor Street Foods has kept the Bachman Co. plant in Muhlenberg Township. It is a contract manufacturer for some of the Bachman pretzels and other pretzel brands.

For more information:www.bachmanco.com and www.savorstreet.com.

Pretzels by Tom Sturgis

It's a salty and twisted tale that tells how Reading became the town of Bretzel. And you could say that it started with a man named Marriott in a place called Lititz.

It would be the Marriott Sturgis, better known as Tom Sturgis. Yes, it is part of the "big pretzel" of the canton of Cumru.

But how Marriott became Tom, how his pretzel production was transferred from Lancaster County to Lancaster's Pike, and how a person named Keller figure in all of this is a fascinating story in the story of one of the crust the most popular in America.

At first, there was Julius Sturgis, a mid-19th century bread baker who settled in a building dating back to around 1784 (which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places) in Lititz.

For more information: www.tomsturgispretzels.com; Facebook: Tom Sturgis Pretzels.

Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc.

Based: 1921 by the Spannuth family

Quote from the company: "We are the first pretzel bakers".

Pretzel the most sold: Shells.

For more information: www.uniquesplits.com; Facebook: Unique pretzels.

EJ Faller Pretzel Company, Reading

In 1911, Edward J. Faller opened his pretzel bakery at 528 Moss Street, Reading. Pretzels are always cooked in the same place, in a brick oven and dried in a slow-drying drier.

For more information: Www.fallerspretzels.com

Related

Bell Alley Pretzels in Reading closes its doors

Savor Street Foods, Inc., Township of Muhlenberg

Following the sale of the Bachman brand in 2012 to Utz Quality Foods Inc., the Bachman Co. has changed its name to Savor Street Foods and has retained its Muhlenberg plant. Savor Street Foods specializes in manufacturing outsourcing.

For more information: www.savorstreetfoods.com and www.cleanleansexy.com (Carpenter Gluten Free Pretzels are available for purchase here)

Celebrate National Pretzel Day

Aunt Anne

What: Original pretzel or cinnamon sugar free for any purchase using this QR code or the company's Pretzel Perks app.

When: Offer valid from Friday to Sunday

Or: Berks locations include: 10 S. Summit Ave., Shillington; Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing; Walmart Supercenter, 5370 Allentown Pike, Temple

Website: AuntieAnnes.com

Philly Pretzel Factory

What: A free pretzel

When: Friday

Or: 2850 Penn Ave., Reading; 5334 Allentown Pike, Temple

Call: Place of reading: (610) 370-7955; Temple Location: (610) 939-9107

Website: Philly Pretzel Factory

Pretzels by Tom Sturgis

What: Get a package of free small snacks.

When: Friday and Saturday, from 8:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Or: Tom Sturgis Pretzels Retail Store, 2267 Lancaster Pike, Reading (South Shillington)

Call: (610) 775-0335; website: Tomsturgispretzels.com

Single pretzel bakery

What: Free, large bag of pretzels

When: Friday

Or: Pretzels Retail Store, 215 E. Bellevue Ave., Reading (Muhlenberg Township)

Call: (610) 929-3172

Website: UniquePretzels.com