Ann Beiler took up the time honoured art of rolling pretzels in 1988, set up a farmer's market stand called Auntie Anne's and began building her business. Today, the company has over 950 locations around the world.

The golden-brown delight is usually shaped in the form of a loose knot and made from wheat flour, sugar and salt. Other than the original, a range of flavours that could include cinnamon sugar, raisin, jalapeno, almond, garlic with marinara dip, sour cream and onion, sesame, and pretzels in the form of sticks and wrapped around a hot dog are offered there. Shakes, lemonade, coffee and soft drinks complement your order.

Rest assured you're not putting on any extra weight because Auntie Anne's pretzels contain just four grams of fat, less than the amount in half a cup of toasted wheat germ.

Fascinatingly, the wedding phrase 'tying the knot' is believed to have come into being when a pretzel was used to tie the knot between two prominent families!