Pennsylvania

The Pretzel Capital Of The World Is Located In This Pennsylvania City

Published

2 months ago

September 14, 2025

The Pretzel Capital Of The World Is Located In This Pennsylvania City

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Believe it or not, the pretzel capital of the world is not in Munich or Würzburg, but rather in the small Pennsylvania city of Reading. In the 1700s, German immigrants who moved to Pennsylvania brought with them a love of soft, lye-boiled, hand-twisted breads. These immigrants settled in areas like Lititz and Lancaster, where early bakers laid the foundation for large-scale commercial pretzel making.

According to the Berks History Center, Julius Sturgis opened a commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz, near Reading, in 1861, widely credited with being the first. However there are also reports that a man named Benjamin Lichtenthaler built the first such bakery in 1860, or that a baker named John Sauermilch set up shop even earlier, around 1846.

Regardless, what is certain is that the city attracted a host of pretzel makers, and by the late 19th century, dozens of bakeries operated across the city, producing everything from traditional twists to innovative pretzel sticks. According to a local history website, at one point, Reading was home to 26 different bakeries, which earned it the nickname “Pretzel City.” By the 1940s, Reading was responsible for producing one-third of all pretzels baked in the United States. According to a local tourism guide, Pennsylvania continues to dominate the pretzel industry today, with about 80% of U.S. pretzels made in the state.

Read more: Foods Anthony Bourdain Hated With A Passion

From pretzel twists to pretzel sticks

A bunch of salty pretzel sticks. – Bhofack2/Getty Images

Prior to ever reaching U.S. shores, pretzels were popular in western Europe as soft breads, with that characteristic twist. But once they reached the U.S. their form and texture began to shift. The Tom Sturgis company (operated by descendants of the original Julius Sturgis) states it produced the first crisp, hard pretzels in the U.S. While soft pretzels remain beloved, hard pretzels became the industry standard as they are easier to store and ship.

Other companies such as Unique Snacks, and Faller’s Pretzels established themselves in Reading and surrounding Berks County and similarly began experimenting with these hard pretzels. Faller’s Pretzels became known for thin crunchy pretzel sticks, cut to snacking size.

From pretzel twists dipped in chocolate or pretzel nuggets stuffed with peanut butter, Pennsylvania bakeries keep reinventing a centuries-old snack. Today’s pretzel aisles are filled with modern spins, like pretzel sandwich buns, and super light extra thins. And let’s not forget, the introduction of the butter pretzel — which adds shortening to the dough for a richer, more indulgent taste — is a distinctly modern twist on the original austere recipe.

Ways to enjoy your salty Reading treat

A handful of crunchy pretzel twists. – New Africa/Shutterstock

The enduring appeal of pretzels lies in their remarkable salty flexibility. If you’re seeking a traditional, hands-on experience, you can easily make soft pretzels at home, using a bit of lye to achieve that fresh chewy taste.

However if you want to enjoy the crunchy hard-baked Reading speciality, there are endless options. Try crushing hard pretzels for a salty pie crust that goes great with a creamy pumpkin cheese cake and delivers an unreal sweet-and-salty combo. Or crumble some pretzel sticks on top of a rich baked mac and cheese right before you put it in the oven for a crispy crust. Similarly add a fine layer of crushed pretzel dust to your next shepard’s pie for a crunchy finish. Of course, the simplest and perhaps most authentic way to enjoy this Pennsylvania specialty remains enjoying them in their purest form: straight from the bag as a perfectly portable and satisfying snack.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.

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Related Topics:city of Reading Featured Julius Sturgis Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery Pennsylvania pretzel sticks pretzel twists pretzels

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Nov. 23, 2025

Published

17 hours ago

November 24, 2025

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The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 7-4, Wild: 5

Evening: 2-8, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 6-5-1, Wild: 5

Evening: 7-6-7, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 4-5-5-1, Wild: 5

Evening: 9-3-9-2, Wild: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 7-2-4-5-2, Wild: 5

Evening: 4-2-1-9-6, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

05-07-49-54-60, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

03-09-26-33-43

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

10-11-17-18-27

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

06-20-23-28-43-45

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Pennsylvania

Hundreds of stuffed toys to find home through Holiday Wish Program

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2025

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Hundreds of stuffed toys to find home through Holiday Wish Program

The state Department of Human Services’ Holiday Wish Program got a boost after the donation of more than 1,000 stuffed toys.

Those stuffed toys are samples of those for sale in Pennsylvania that were deemed safe for children this past year by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry following routine safety inspections.

The samples are accumulated by the department throughout the year and then marked for distribution through the state Department of Human Services’ Holiday Wish Program.

“This annual tradition reminds us of what public service is truly about: protecting people’s safety while spreading hope and joy to families across Pennsylvania,” said Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “In times that can feel especially heavy, small acts of generosity can make a big difference.”

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Under state law, Labor and Industry’s Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety must inspect all new stuffed toy samples for contents, choking hazards, and general safety.

Toys that pass inspection get a registration number, which is on every stuffed toy sold in the commonwealth.

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Through this process, Labor and Industry accumulates hundreds of toy samples each year. This year, the department delivered a record 1,085 stuffed toys to the Department of Human Services DHS for its Holiday Wish program — a 45 percent increase from last year’s 749 donated.

Of the donated toys, more than 50 are made of recycled materials. Last year, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an updated Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act, eliminating a long-standing ban on using recycled materials in stuffed toys sold in the commonwealth.

Started in 1989 by Department of Human Services employees, the Holiday Wish program has grown to include hundreds of employees in various state agencies, allowing the program to reach thousands of individuals in need around Pennsylvania during the holiday season.

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Pennsylvania

Holiday Wish Program gets 1,000 toys to donate to PA children

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

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Holiday Wish Program gets 1,000 toys to donate to PA children

The Pennsylvania Departments of Labor & Industry and Human Services celebrated the start of the 2025 holiday season with the annual donation of stuffed toys collected throughout the year by Labor and Industry during routine safety inspections.

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