If sourdough is a deciding factor, check that it is specifically listed in the ingredients or product description. KEIT names spelt sourdough starter, while the EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzel checked lists sourdough made from wheat flour and water. If you won’t have time to bake before your journey, a ready-to-eat pretzel is more practical; the frozen EDEKA version needs to be defrosted and baked before you set off. Check the ingredients and allergen information regardless of the sourdough content.
You want to buy a pretzel before boarding and eat it without needing an oven. A freshly baked pretzel from the bakery counter is a better fit than frozen pretzels, which EDEKA and REWE recommend preparing before eating.
You want to see sourdough listed as an ingredient in the specific recipe. Check the ingredients or product description rather than relying on the name ‘pretzel’ alone.
If wheat, milk, sesame or other ingredients affect your choice, check the information for the specific pretzel. For loose products, ask at the point of sale for the latest allergen information.
A good fit if: You’re specifically looking for sourdough but don’t want to use an oven before your journey. KEIT lists spelt sourdough starter in its pretzel.
Worth bearing in mind: The KEIT pretzel contains organic butter. Check whether you can buy it at the time you plan to set off.
A good fit if: You can bake at home before travelling. The EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzel lists sourdough in its ingredients.
Worth bearing in mind: EDEKA says the frozen pretzel needs around 10 minutes to thaw slightly, followed by around 15–16 minutes in the oven.
A good fit if: You mainly want to buy a pretzel for your journey without any preparation. ALDI SÜD describes its MEINE BACKWELT pretzel as freshly baked several times a day.
Worth bearing in mind: The product name alone doesn’t confirm that it contains sourdough. Ask about the specific recipe if this matters to you.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat | Is the pretzel already baked, or does it need to be defrosted and baked before your journey? | If I’m shopping shortly before departure, I want to be able to eat without any preparation. For around 42% of consumers, being able to eat it straight away is the priority. |
| Sourdough | Is sourdough or sourdough starter listed in the specific ingredients or product description? | I care more about being able to verify the sourdough ingredient than simply seeing ‘pretzel’ on the label. Around 33% of consumers would check this first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, declared allergens and possible traces for the specific pretzel. | If there are ingredients I need to avoid, I have to read the information for the specific product. This check comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
The ingredients list checked for REWE Beste Wahl pretzels includes yeast but no sourdough. KEIT and the GUT&GÜNSTIG version checked, on the other hand, specifically list sourdough.
Check the ingredients or product description for the pretzel you want. For loose products, you can ask about the current recipe.
The frozen pretzels checked from EDEKA and REWE need to be prepared before eating. If you’re shopping just before departure, you may not have time to do this.
For a spontaneous journey, choose a ready-to-eat product. Frozen pretzels are a good option if you can use an oven beforehand and plan for the preparation time.
Defrosting and baking take extra time before you set off.
ALDI SÜD describes its MEINE BACKWELT pretzel as vegan. That doesn’t mean it contains sourdough, or that it’s suitable for people who need to avoid cereals containing gluten.
Check the dietary information, recipe and allergen details separately for the specific product.
A filling that needs to be kept chilled calls for different transport conditions from an unfilled pretzel. For chilled foods, the Verbraucherzentrale recommends using an insulated or cool bag when transporting them.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific filling and, if it needs to be kept chilled, plan a suitable way to transport it.
You may need a cool bag or ice packs.
KEIT describes a 125 g organic pretzel made with spelt sourdough starter and organic butter.
EDEKA sells a frozen pretzel whose ingredients list sourdough made from water and wheat flour.
REWE describes its pretzels in the 770 g pack as eight frozen pieces of dough to bake at home.
Ditsch sells pretzels in different formats, including unbaked pieces of dough and fully baked frozen products.
ALDI SÜD describes its bakery-counter pretzel as vegan and freshly baked several times a day.
These spelt pretzels with sesame could make a handy snack for your journey, with no need to bake them first. If you specifically want a sourdough pretzel, the ingredients on the particular pack will be key to your decision.
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These spelt pretzels are a handy snack for your journey, with no need to bake them beforehand. If sourdough is a must for you, check the ingredients on the particular pack; it isn’t clear from the product name.
Look for a specific mention in the ingredients or product description. EDEKA lists sourdough made from water and wheat flour in the GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzel checked; KEIT lists spelt sourdough starter. The name ‘pretzel’ alone doesn’t tell you.
The EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzel checked isn’t intended to be eaten without preparation first. EDEKA says to leave it to thaw slightly for around 10 minutes, then bake it for around 15–16 minutes. Allow time to cool and pack it before your journey, too.
In particular, check for cereals containing gluten and any other details for the specific pretzel. KEIT lists organic butter as an ingredient; Ditsch warns that the 150 g pretzel checked may contain traces of milk and sesame. For loose products, you can ask at the point of sale for the latest allergen information.
Consider the pretzel and its ingredients: for bread and rolls, the Verbraucherzentrale recommends storing them in a dry place at room temperature, away from light. If your pretzel has a topping or filling that needs to be kept chilled, follow its storage instructions and use a suitable insulated or cool bag for transport.