Pretzels have actually been around for a long time, with the earliest estimates dating them to around 610 A.D, created by an Italian monk to reward good children with. From there, they spread around the globe, and are popular even today. Bakers would have golden pretzels outside of there shops to signify their craft, and have become associated with religious significance since they could be eaten during times of fasting such as during Lent. The most popular topping for them is salted, although since they come in soft and hard varieties, they can be topped with many things.