Editing Philadelphia Soft Pretzel (section)

== History ==

German immigrants established pretzel bakeries in Philadelphia in the mid-nineteenth century, bringing traditions from regions where pretzels had been made for centuries. Philadelphia's pretzel culture developed distinctive characteristics as bakers adapted to local tastes and markets. By the early twentieth century, pretzels had become a ubiquitous Philadelphia street food.<ref name="pretzel"/>

The Philadelphia soft pretzel's oblong shape—a figure-eight or elongated oval rather than the classic twisted pretzel form—distinguishes it from pretzels elsewhere. This shape may have developed for ease of production or vendor convenience. The relatively simple form contrasts with the more elaborate twisted pretzels found in other cities.<ref name="pretzel"/>