Why does the Brezel look like that?

Ther are many stories, sometimes they seem like fairy tales. For example: The first baker who created a Brezel, observed monks, praying with crossed arms. To be honest, the first 100 years Brezels weren´t twisted but formed like a circle. Because it wasn´t easy to connect the two ends neatly, a new form was developed in the the 9th century. It looked like the figure 6 or two connected “sixs”. There were heaps of different ways to form the Brezel.

And why is everyone so crazy about it?

The Brezel, formed like a circle was already “high fashioned” during roman time. It was used as a last supper gift, together with wine, in the second centruy by the Christians. Probably a lot more people would go to church if that tradition would have been held alive.;-) Monks had it as fasting and festival meal. In the Middle Ages the people living in town were crazy about it. The Brezel was eaten at weddings, birthday parties, funerals … . The more popular it became the more it was important at festivals and for customary use – in parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Today it is impossible to imagine everyday life without it. Especially in Munich you have to eat the Weißwurst with a Brezel and swee mustard.

Ther are variations from salty to sweet … and what the hell is a “Laugenbrezel” ?

In former days the bakers dipped it into hot water before putting it into the oven. Through that the exterior stayed soft and the Brezel swelled perfectly. During the 12. century they started to cover them with brine so the paste turned crunchy brown and it tasted a lot better.

As a chemical aid soda lye was used, thinned with water, Normally it is acidic and dangerous. But during baking, soda lye turns into sodium carbonate which is normal soda as used for baking. By the way you can find the “Laugenbrezel” in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and the Pfalz on the menu. There, people prefer eating their bread with the traditional aromatic taste. And even in New York, on Time Squares you can buy it!

Take one and enjoy your meal in your Munich Hotel Monaco during your breakfast!