According to ask.yahoo.com, the apple became the traditional present for teachers in the United States, Denmark and Sweden. Many believe that it originated as a simple gift to help out poorly paid teachers. Others believe it represents the good health associated with the fruit.

As you wrap up the school year, why not consider a box of your apple cinnamon pretzels as a unique twist on the traditional apple gift?

Have you gifted any of the teachers in your life with our pretzels? Share your stories with us!

What is the Windy City Pretzel you ask? It is a delicious combination of manchego cheese, chipotle peppers and spices, including cumin and red chile pepper, that have been stuffed into the pretzel dough you have all come to love. Did we mention that it’s topped with mozzarella cheese?

To order these bad boys, just visit our website! These pretzels will only be available for a limited time only! So grab yours today!

If you are unsure how you are going to like them, take a look at the video and see how Windy City Live co-hosts Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini enjoyed their first bite!

Photo From Merchant’s Circle

Thank you to all of you who entered our contest! And the winner is….. Diane F. Send us your contact information in whichever manner you’d like and we will be in touch!

For those inquiring minds, here are the questions with their answers!

1. What is Kim’s favorite flavor pretzel? (chocolate fudge)
2. What is Scott’s favorite flavor pretzel? (cheddar jalapeno)
3. Where did Kim & Scott meet in October 1994? (Transitions Bookplace)
4. What did the hospital nurses name Kim & Scott’s first born child at Prentice Hospital? (baby pretzel)
5. Where did Kim & Scott start selling pretzels on tv in 2002 to 90 million households? (QVC)
6. What two famous ice cream entrepreneurs inspired Kim & Scott to develop a foundation of social responsibility from the very beginning? (Ben & Jerry’s)
7. What is their mission to make a difference called? (Pretzels with a purpose)

Kim and Scott would like to thank all of you for your support throughout the years! We would never have made it to our 17th birthday without all of your support and love of pretzels!

In honor of our 17th birthday, we have a little trivia contest for you!

The winner will receive pretzels of course!

The contest will be open until Monday morning at 9am, with the winner announced later on during the day. Just leave your answers in the comments section! In case of a tie, a name will be drawn at random! Good luck!

1. What is Kim’s favorite flavor pretzel?
2. What is Scott’s favorite flavor pretzel?
3. Where did Kim & Scott meet in October 1994?
4. What did the hospital nurses name Kim & Scott’s first born child at Prentice Hospital?
5. Where did Kim & Scott start selling pretzels on tv in 2002 to 90 million households?
6. What two famous ice cream entrepreneurs inspired Kim & Scott to develop a foundation of social responsibility from the very beginning?
7. What is their mission to make a difference called?

There are going to be lots of surprise for our twisted pretzels lovers!  You have to tune in to see it!

And remember Ella? She submitted this cute video to be part of the taping of a special segment that will air during the show on Tuesday! In case you missed Ella the first time around, take a look at her adorable video to get in the spirit!

Windy City Live airs on ABC7 Chicago from 9-10 a.m.

Some have chosen to go gluten-free because of the health benefits. For many, the decision wasn’t theirs.

Here are some interesting facts about Celiac Disease from The Celiac Disease Foundation:

• The cause of the disease is unknown.
• One out of 133 people in the United States is affected by this disease.
• Celiac disease is NOT a food allergy. It is an autoimmune disease.
• Gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction.

At Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our product. That’s why we have developed a gluten-free pretzel!

Honor the celiacs in your life by ensuring they can enjoy the same foods as you. At your next get together, put out some gluten-free pretzels for them. Your friends and family will thank you!

Here’s a snippet of the review:

“We have a feeling that Kim and Scott don’t think anything is too crazy for them to make, because almost everything they offer is like something out of Willy Wonka– if he turned out to be a baker that is.”

Well, we certainly thing that our bakery is as magical as Willy Wonka’s factory!

To read Food Review 101′s full review click here.

We want to know what you think of our Grilled Cheese and Jalapeno Cheddar pretzels! Let us know on our Twitter and Facebook pages!