A pretzel (known as Brezel in German, sometimes also Brezn or
Breze) is a type of baked food made from dough in soft and hard
varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like
shape, originating in Europe. The pretzel shape is a distinctive
symmetrical looped form, with the ends of a long strip of dough
intertwine brought together and then twisted back onto itself in
a certain way ("a pretzel loop"). Pretzels in stick form may
also be called pretzels in the English-speaking context. For
seasoning and decoration various glazes, salt crystals, sugar
and various seeds or nuts can be used. The size varies from
large enough for one to be a sufficient serving, to much
smaller. A bread pretzel popular in southern Germany and
adjoining German-speaking areas, as well as in some areas of the
United States, is made from wheat flour, water and yeast,
usually sprinkled with coarse salt, hand-sized and made for
consumption on the same day. It is relatively soft, rather than
brittle. To avoid confusion with any ot