Pretzels have been around for more than a thousand years, originating in southern Europe around 610 A.D., according to historians. Today, crispy,
hard pretzels are consumed by people in many of the countries represented at the 2012 Olympics.
And why not? Health-conscious consumers around the world appreciate a flavorful treat that typically has fewer calories than most other salty snacks on the market, as well as no trans-fat, saturated fat or cholesterol. Many pretzel manufacturers today are also offering products made with “all-natural” ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors or gluten. Even people mindful of their sodium intake can snack on pretzels, thanks to unsalted offerings from numerous pretzel makers.