Krakow's counterfeit pretzel scandal
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
25.08.2014 15:40
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NFP 14 08 25 PRECLE EK.mp3
The Kraków 'obwarzanek' has come under the scrutiny of local prosecutors, investigating whether the pretzel is proper and legal.
photo - CC/wiki
Beware when hunger pangs strike in Krakow, as you reach for the traditional obwarzanek pretzel sold from carts everywhere.
It's not just a question of choosing between a sprinkling of poppy seeds, or sesame, or coarse salt. Local manufacturers warn unwary customers that they could be bring fobbed off with what they say is a counterfeit product.
They say that a proper Kraków obwarzanek - and heaven forbid you call it a bagel - is baked from a dough dipped briefly in boiling water (hence its name from the verb "obwarzać" to cook or scald) and it should be made by hand, not spewed out of a machine.
After repeated complaints, prosecutors have finally decided to act. Ela Kraewska reports on the Great Krakow Pretzel Scandal.